An Etiquette Lesson
Monday, May 5th, 2008I was laughing with some of my golfing partners about my etiquette book, but really, is the world turning upside down? Lately, I have encountered some truly bizarre behavior. On a flight to Fort Lauderdale, FL I was luckily upgraded to first class- but was I really lucky? I was in the last row of first class and the guy across the aisle was talking to his buddy in economy around me and through the mesh curtain. What an enjoyable conversation (about the type of slate they were going to buy for a construction job) for me to hear. I guess I am a snob, but shouldn’t the gentleman next to me (who was upgraded without his pal) have stayed in economy out of courtesy rather than thoughtlessly and selfishly talked around me?
In restaurants and airports I have noticed a growing trend. According to etiquette (I believe), if you see a friend or colleague across the room, you offer a little nod and then walk over and chat. But the trend today is to just conduct a conversation across the room and through people. Not just “Hello Joe”, but full blown conversations.
Golf has a great deal of etiquette rules, many of which are useful in real life, but can we ever get past this “ME” only world?
-Fran Gallagher, publisher and CEO
