An Etiquette Lesson
I 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
May 5th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Singing to the choir. I was in a pretty nice restaurant last week. It was on a historic boat. This loudmouth guy walks in and burps as he sat down. I couldn’t believe it. Then his buddy starts talking on his cell phone, despite the rule against cell phones as written clearly on the menu. Fortunately, the third guy was a gentleman.
May 6th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
I think we live in “Planet Oblivion” unfortunately.
Sometimes I wonder if that is not all related to the fact that every day we interact less and less with people. We drive everywhere, we don’t talk to anyone on the way (like you would in a bus or train). We avoid dealing with people as if it is the worst thing that can happen to someone (unless of course, you are a salesman). Then, later on, we only deal with a few chosen ones and ignore the rights of everyone else. And voilá, your seatmate was born.
May 7th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Well gentlemen, it seems that common courtesy is being taught more sparingly these days.
May 8th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Is it good etiquette if I stopped reading after the first sentence?