Thread: The loss of common courtesy?

Originally Posted by rtaylor61

I was raised in Texas, and I was raised to be a Gentleman. I hold doors without expecting a "thank you", but appreciating it when it happens. I allow cars to change lanes in front of me, and hope when necessary, someone will do the same for me. I open car doors for ladies. I give up my seat to ladies and my elders. I treat others with respect, regardless of how they treat me. It's not bragging, it's how I was raised. As far as I am concerned, a "thank you" is nice, but in my opinion, it's more important for me to to what I was taught is "the right thing". I believe that all of the books by John Bridges should be required reading. I don't believe that a gentleman needs a gun to settle an argument. I don't get involved in arguments. But pull a gun on me...well, I've got a surprise for you. And I promise, you will NOT like it.



Being a gentleman and practicing chivalry are not macho things. They are a way of life that involves respect. And if someone chooses to disrespect me, it's their loss. I have nothing to prove to anyone, except to me. And that is the fact that I am in control of myself, my feelings and how I react. Want to piss me off? Give it a shot. You'll just frustrate yourself. I think my signature says it all.

RT

Amen. Expecting a pat on the back when you do what you're supposed to do anyway is like expecting a raise for doing the bare minimum at work. It's nice when people are considerate enough to notice your efforts, and return them with kindness, but if they don't...well, that just lets you know those aren't people who are worth the effort of worrying over. Demanding that someone notice how "great" you are only demeans you and cheapens your effort to be a decent human being. It also drives you crazy, because no matter how well-known, famous, skilled, or "cool" you are, there are always going to be people who, for whatever reason, don't like you. If you know you did the right thing, and treated the other person with respect, how they respond is immaterial and irrelevant (outside physical confrontation). It's their problem, and as long as they don't threaten or assault me, it will remain their problem. Demanding someone notice your efforts at common courtesy is just as bad as them not noticing it in the first place, if not worse, because they might've been distracted or worrying over something else when they failed to notice your courtesy, but your demanding recognition indicates you worry about it far too much, and that you need external reinforcement to do what is right and proper. It's aggravating at times, but if say, a woman doesn't say "thank you" when I open the door for her, I don't really take offense...I take comfort in the fact she probably has a much harder time sleeping at night than I do.

I tend to disagree with you on this count gentlemen: If someone does something nice for me, I always thank them for it. That is a proper display of manners and expected from either a lady or a gentleman. A polite "you're welcome" is proper admonishment for them to remember their P's and Q's.

Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

I tend to disagree with you on this count gentlemen: If someone does something nice for me, I always thank them for it. That is a proper display of manners and expected from either a lady or a gentleman. A polite "you're welcome" is proper admonishment for them to remember their P's and Q's.

I totally agree, but if someone fails to do so...no big deal, at least to me. I do everything within my power to not let others effect me and how I react.

RT

(Athough there was that one chat session with Brian...who remains HIGH on my list as the "least" gentlemanly person I have ever crossed, and should we ever meet face to face, WILL face my wrath and learn how to administer his own sutures, once the hospital releases him.)

Originally Posted by rtaylor61

RT

(Athough there was that one chat session with Brian...who remains HIGH on my list as the "least" gentlemanly person I have ever crossed, and should we ever meet face to face, WILL face my wrath and learn how to administer his own sutures, once the hospital releases him.)

you've peaked my curiousity

hehe, I was at that chat too... I think people take Brian to serious, though...

Athough there was that one chat session with Brian...who remains HIGH on my list as the "least" gentlemanly person I have ever crossed,

is that the same brian that made the videos??

Originally Posted by trapperjohnme

is that the same brian that made the videos??

Yes, it's the same guy -- Brian Donofrio.

Originally Posted by trapperjohnme

is that the same brian that made the videos??

Yea, Brian was trying to goad people into making shaving videos and went a little too far with his antics. ( a lot too far)

He's a good resource for some fun stuff. Lynn's videos are far better for shaving techniques but Brian does have some fun stuff on his site.

I only tailgate someone >> if they cut me off << and then drive slower than me until I get a good chance to pass'em, then I forget about them. But if I'm on a 1 lane (per direction) road, going 20 over the limit and I see a person approaching me from behind, I move over to the right and let them pass. This is just proper lane discipline taught to me in Europe. The basic rule is "If you're blocking a faster driver, let him/her pass." (*)

(*) There's nothing wrong with going at your own speed on a 1 lane road (as long as it's >= the speed limit. I just like to go the extra mile. However, if you're on a two lane (per direction) road there's no reason for you not to move over to the right and let a faster driver pass.

I'll have to define my brand of tailgating. Let us say a person cuts me off.. It's only natural that I'll have to apply brakes and still end up on their rear bumper b/c they caused such a situation. That's when I am going to slow down to the speed limit. If they are going faster, they will start developing some distance between the two cars. If they are going slower, I will stay on their rear bumper for another 5-10 seconds before backing off and finding a good spot to pass. This is a pure admonishment. Since we don't have any other ways of communicating (other than physical contact b/w the two cars, i.e. a collision) it's a way of expressing my disapproval. Just like it's laudable to do nice things for other people, I see no problems with expressing my disapproval when someone is being rude to me.