Rules of Civility

Show Nothing to your Friend that may affright him.

Kids like to freak each other out. They quickly learn how fun it can be to jump out suddenly from behind a corner or hide a garden snake in a classmate’s lunchbox. As adults they will learn that good relationships are built on trust. If you can’t trust your friends, who can you trust?  Yet pranks and practical jokes still happen all around us, in the movies, at home, or at the office, and they usually take place between friends. Though no harm may be intended, pranks and practical jokes can undermine trust.

Webster’s Dictionary defines a practical joke as ‘a prank intended to trick or embarrass someone or cause physical discomfort.’ Your friend may seem game for a laugh at his or her own expense, but you have no control over the way your actions will be received. Even the most harmless prank may be deeply hurtful to someone. To protect your friendships, it may be best to avoid practical jokes altogether.

Frank Manners articles address the 110 “Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation,” by which George Washington lived and present them in an applicable fashion, both for you, and your children.

Table Manners

When George Washington was sixteen years old he wrote down a list of 110 “Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation.” This list of rules, found in a 16th century guidebook, was intended to assist him in shaping his behavior in order to improve his general moral fiber.  From rules such as – How to comport oneself in company or how to take and give criticism or general guidelines on table manners, Washington took these rules seriously and worked hard to follow them.  In so doing, he put in place a groundwork that served him well his entire life. As an adult, Washington was well respected, not only for his accomplishments, but for how he comported himself in public. Today, the practice of such rules has become even more of a rarity than it was during Washington’s lifetime.

Of course, Americans always admire those who are naturally dignified. In sports, entertainment, or politics, it is clear to us when someone is well respected.  On the other hand, we’ve all run into many rude, obnoxious or selfish people, and sometimes it seems as if a majority of people have little grasp of etiquette and how to behave respectfully toward others. Fortunately, it is not impossible to teach your children the same etiquette lessons Washington used to distinguish himself.

Subsequent Frank Manners articles will address the rules by which Washington lived and present them in an applicable fashion, both for you, and your children. While some of the rules are a little stuffy, the majority of them are still highly relevant today.