Have you ever been asked to give a recommendation for a person who had little to recommend about himself? Have you found yourself in a situation where you are called upon to […]
A Non-Recommendation Letter of Recommendation from Benjamin Franklin
Lessons in Civility From the Father of the Country
The political climate of the modern age is lamentably lacking in civility. This would be quite distressing to the man who, more than anyone else, was responsible for shaping the government of […]
Mad Dog’s Rules of Etiquette
Before he became the 26th Secretary of Defense, James Mattis was a general in the U.S. Marines Corps. He earned his nickname of “Mad Dog” with his characteristic bluntness and determination. He […]
Good Manners Overrule Royal Privilege
According to an often-repeated legend, Lord Kingsale retains a royal privilege that allows him to keep his hat on in the presence of the sovereign. This right allegedly was granted by King John in […]
Maintaining Propriety With Gentleman’s Gloves
One of President Theodore Roosevelt’s favorite pastimes was called “scrambles.” This activity involved point-to-point walks, where the participants were allowed to move forward only in a straight line. Upon meeting an obstacle, […]
Good Manners = Not Saying Everything
“Good breeding consists in concealing how much we think of ourselves and how little we think of others.” — Orson Welles (1915-1985) source
Commonplace Fun Facts 