Manners And Etiquette

[Mr. DS]

Manners And Etiquette...I'm not sure how one could truly rate themselves seeing there are so many layers.  Do you fold your napkin on your lap when you go out to eat?  Do you hold the door open for people?  So I kept it to three options, decide where you fit.

Me personally, I think I'm in the moderate range.  I honestly hate social functions where I have to watch my mouth and act accordingly.  I've been lectured on my manners yet have been praised how civil I act.  I find as I get older I get lectured more perhaps because I really don't care much.  For example, we were meeting some friends for dinner the other day and we were there early when they called our table.  I insisted we sit down and simply give our friends a call to let them know we got the table.  She insisted that was "rude", I didn't see a connection personally and I ended up being right.  We had to wait extra long for a table.

[Leah]

Moderate, if I had a lot of beans and broccoli and I'm in the bathroom- a nuclear bomb went off in the toilet. Gotta grab a table before the crowd arrives and makes you wait longer, which can cause the younger children make your life miserable because of nagging.

[The Burgomaster]

Moderate.  My major deviations from proper etiquette include things like eating with my elbows on the table.  I have no problem farting in the presence of family and close friends.

 

[LilCerberus]

I have Asperger's.
I wouldn't know the difference.

[The Burgomaster]

Manners And Etiquette...I'm not sure how one could truly rate themselves seeing there are so many layers.  Do you fold your napkin on your lap when you go out to eat?  Do you hold the door open for people?  So I kept it to three options, decide where you fit.

Me personally, I think I'm in the moderate range.  I honestly hate social functions where I have to watch my mouth and act accordingly.  I've been lectured on my manners yet have been praised how civil I act.  I find as I get older I get lectured more perhaps because I really don't care much.  For example, we were meeting some friends for dinner the other day and we were there early when they called our table.  I insisted we sit down and simply give our friends a call to let them know we got the table.  She insisted that was "rude", I didn't see a connection personally and I ended up being right.  We had to wait extra long for a table.

I would always grab the table as soon as it became available.  What's the point of hanging around waiting for everyone to show up?  If I showed up after everyone else and they were already seated when I arrived I would be happy that I didn't need to wait for the table!

[Flick James]

Despite my often caustic demeanor, I actually polish up nicely.

[akiratubo]

For example, we were meeting some friends for dinner the other day and we were there early when they called our table.  I insisted we sit down and simply give our friends a call to let them know we got the table.  She insisted that was "rude", I didn't see a connection personally and I ended up being right.  We had to wait extra long for a table.

It seems ruder to not grab the available table, thus forcing your friends to wait when they arrive.

[Mr. DS]

Btw, thanks to all who agree with me on the table thing.  It feels great to be correct over my wife's decisions. 

[Mr. DS]

Another action I get flagged for, grabbing an extra helping of something at a work party.  Let me say I'm not going to shaft anyone who hasn't had a bite to eat but I figure if its there, I'm done eating, I'm so getting another helping. 

[tracy]

I'm also in the moderate area....I was taught to be polite but would never try to pass myself off as always being polite. I do have the occassional temper flare up.

[alandhopewell]

      #2....I was raised old-school....but, I have a smart mouth, and I don't suffer fools (or political correctness) gladly.

[Silverlady]

I'm in the moderate group too.  I was taught "please" and "thank you" and to generally be polite.  But if I have a little too much to drink, my brain and my mouth are not always on the same page.   

[FatFreddysCat]

I voted #2. I'm usually a pretty mild mannered guy, of course even I have my limits....and my kids push me to those limits on a regular basis.

[Chainsawmidget]

I'd say moderate.  I say please and thank you, I try to hold doors open for people, and if somebody says "make yourself at home," I only take off my pants and start scratching myself on the couch if I'm wearing clean underwear.

[Mofo Rising]

I value etiquette highly. What I believe it is is showing respect to other people. Etiquette, properly understood, is just showing that you care about other people enough not to be a complete ass. I understand you are a person like I am, and for that reason I will not p**s on your carpet.

That's just common courtesy.

At the same time, there are a billion other ridiculous rules that make no sense. "Table manners" are probably the worst offenders. I know I should use a napkin, and there are forks that are made for specific tasks. But it is apparently gauche to cut up your steak into small bits all at once so you can eventually eat them.

That sort of thing is garbage. Outmoded "this is how it's done!" crap.

At the same time, if you don't care enough about your friends not to fart at the dinner table, something went terribly wrong with your upbringing.