Etiquette for Young Men

[guardsman]

Always told to pass women and children by being nearest to road , not to speak over people . Not to ignore a question and listen, listen , listen men are not born , we are made!

[BLHS209]

Also, have them read this:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...ntleman-81005/

or the direct link of:

http://www.pipesdrums.com/ViewObject...ref_map=%5B%5D

[CMcG]

A bit of political correctness could be helpful. Awareness for other cultures and their customs is also important for people who live in areas with a lot of diversity or who travel to other countries.

[Laird_M]

I'd never, ever refer to someone as "Sir" or "Ma'am" unless they had the title to go with it. Respect is one thing, obsequiousness is another.

Andy

It very much depends on the culture.
In the UK, you only call a teacher, officer or magistrate sir, but I know when I lived in the US for a while, young people were expected to call their elders "Sir" or "Ma'am".

[BCAC]

A bit of political correctness could be helpful. Awareness for other cultures and their customs is also important for people who live in areas with a lot of diversity or who travel to other countries.

I'm not sure about that one, Colin. Political correctness has come to mean no criticism. I think that people should learn to accept constructive crticism. Constructive criticism should be seen as an aid.

Edited to add: Evidently, I'm with you about the awareness for other cultures and their customs.

[Calgacus]

...(and if they are sending something out representing the group I'm in, I'm sometimes embarrassed of them).

...I'm not saying I'm Mr. Perfect - I do make mistakes from time to time, but I do at least make an attempt at determining what is proper for the message I'm trying to communicate, and gratefully acknowledge correction when it's offered.

Hi John,

I'm not Mr. Perfect either, so pardon me for correcting you, but I think that should be "I'm sometimes embarrassed by them."

You can be ashamed of someone, or shamed by someone, but I am reasonably sure you can only be embarrassed by someone.

Being embarrassed of someone may however be an Americanism that I am unaware of, in which case I shall forgive you and bask in a mild glow of cultural superiority

[EagleJCS]

Hi John,

I'm not Mr. Perfect either, so pardon me for correcting you, but I think that should be "I'm sometimes embarrassed by them."

You can be ashamed of someone, or shamed by someone, but I am reasonably sure you can only be embarrassed by someone.

Being embarrassed of someone may however be an Americanism that I am unaware of, in which case I shall forgive you and bask in a mild glow of cultural superiority

Well, I am a Kentuckian! I've read that there are some Scots (not Gaidhlig nor Gaeilge) vocabulary, etc., that have found their way into the dialects of rural Kentucky and West Virginia. Perhaps that's where I picked it up??

[CMcG]

I'm not sure about that one, Colin. Political correctness has come to mean no criticism. I think that people should learn to accept constructive crticism. Constructive criticism should be seen as an aid.
...

I've never heard of political correctness meaning no criticism A quick look at the dictionary shows the meaning I'm familiar with, which is the one I intended: speech that avoids discrimination against age, gender, ethnicity, class, religion, and/or sexual orientation.

Some people take this too far and their language becomes neutral to the point of vagueness, hence why I suggested "a bit" of political correctness. Nonetheless, modern etiquette needs to encompass it in order to avoid inadvertently causing offence to various historically, politically, socially, or economically disadvantaged groups.

[creagdhubh]

Since this is tailored to young men, I would say that the most obvious piece of etiquette many of them lack (and the most noticeable trait when someone actually does have it) is speaking respectfully to others, especially their elders. A simple "sir" or "ma'am" goes a long way when addressing someone in a respectful manner.

I agree completely. Proper etiquette and manners begins with speaking in a respectful and tactful manner. Heck, enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps will definitely teach young men proper etiquette, in which arguably, they'll retain for the rest of their lives.

[Father Bill]

So... why don't we get back to the original question and make suggestions for our friend's course of instruction?