Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour In Company and Conversation

After a trip to Costco, navigating the Salt Lake City and Atlanta Airports, and flying for 3 hours in an airtight metal tube in the past 72 hours, I've decided that people--all of 'em--need an annually recurrent training in manners.

I understand that jumbo TVs and cereal boxes can be distracting. If you're going to meander, leave your ego at the door. You are not the most important person there. Your agenda is not more important than everyone else's. You will have opportunity to try the chicken pot pie sample another time. May I please pass?

I know that dealing with parking, hauling luggage that can break your back and dealing with the TSA can be tiresome, but most people in the airport are not there for a leisurely stroll. When you stop in the middle of the concourse to take in the sights, please be aware that the people tripping over your luggage while rushing to make their very tight connections are not loathsome creatures who deserve your contempt.

When the baggage in the overhead bin shifts (as the flight attendants advise on EVERY flight) do not tug someones computer case half way out so it teeters precariously over someones head. Do not yell at the person, in front of all creation, who rescues said bag because it shifted in flight and smashed your jacket that you shoved in the dirty overhead bin without a second thought.

Seriously. I don't know what goes through peoples minds when the act the way they do sometimes. No, I'm not perfect, but I do think I generally act right and can handle being let out in public--unsupervised. But for those who could use some gentle encouragement in the direction of civility...a 16 year old George Washington (what a stud!) offered the following:

There are 110 "rules" but these were my favorites.

1st Every Action done in Company, ought to be with Some Sign of Respect, to those that are Present.

2d When in Company, put not your Hands to any Part of the Body, not usually Discovered.

7th Put not off your Cloths in the presence of Others, nor go out your Chamber half Drest.

12th Shake not the head, Feet, or Legs rowl not the Eys lift not one eyebrow higher than the other wry not the mouth, and bedew no mans face with your Spittle, by approaching too near him when you Speak.

13th Kill no Vermin as Fleas, lice ticks &c in the Sight of Others, if you See any filth or thick Spittle put your foot Dexteriously upon it if it be upon the Cloths of your Companions, Put it off privately, and if it be upon your own Cloths return Thanks to him who puts it off.

23d When you see a Crime punished, you may be inwardly Pleased; but always shew Pity to the Suffering Offender.

45th Being to advise or reprehend any one, consider whether it ought to be in public or in Private; presently, or at Some other time in what terms to do it & in reproving Shew no Sign of Cholar but do it with all Sweetness and Mildness.

54th Play not the Peacock, looking every where about you, to See if you be well Deck't, if your Shoes fit well if your Stokings sit neatly, and Cloths handsomely.

56th Associate yourself with Men of good Quality if you Esteem your own Reputation; for 'tis better to be alone than in bad Company.

60th Be not immodest in urging your Friends to Discover a Secret.

73d Think before you Speak pronounce not imperfectly nor bring out your Words too hastily but orderly & distinctly.

76th While you are talking, Point not with your Finger at him of Whom you Discourse nor Approach too near him to whom you talk especially to his face.

90th Being Set at meat Scratch not neither Spit Cough or blow your Nose except there's a Necessity for it.

97th Put not another bit into your Mouth til the former be Swallowed let not your Morsels be too big for the Gowls.

108th When you Speak of God or his Attributes, let it be Seriously & wt. Reverence. Honour & Obey your Natural Parents altho they be Poor.

110th Labour to keep alive in your Breast that Little Spark of Celestial fire Called Conscience.