ACME
12-05-2011, 01:02 PM
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Incorrect Conducts
To be noisy and assertive, sullen, or bored
The reputation that the English sometimes have for being rather shy and reserved
is expressed here, though it’s a bit harsh to tell people that they can’t be bored from
time to time! These days, England is not short of noisy and sullen people. The majority
of people do not see this as a good attribute though, especially in children and
young adults.
• To bang doors and talk noisily on the stairs
We all know that slamming doors is a great stress breaker and gives particular satisfaction
when done to someone you don’t like or who’s upset you! In spite of being
satisfying to the one who does it, most people in England respect the quiet and dignifi
ed personality, rather than those who make their feelings clear to others.
• To borrow even the smallest sum of money
This is probably good advice in general unless absolutely necessary, but hardly a
rule. However, in England, it is still considered to be bad form to borrow from someone
who works for you or is subordinate to you in some way.
• To use a pocket handkerchief in public, unless absolutely necessary
This one seems a bit harsh – what are you supposed to do if you have a streaming
nose? To many folk, excessive sniffi ng is worse than nose blowing. This is a rule that
doesn’t apply any more in England. Very noisy blowing of the nose might gain a few
stares, though.
• To question people about their private affairs
Most people in England would be very reluctant to question another person (especially
a stranger) about their private affairs, no matter how curious they are. Leading
questions might be asked, though, if the curiosity gets unbearable.
• To be unpunctual
Still holds today. There’s nothing worse than being kept waiting by someone who
is late. In England, most people expect others to be punctual for formal business or
other meetings, unless there is a good reason for being late. A call to explain that you
might be late for a meeting is appreciated.
To walk out of a door or into a lift before a woman
In other words, the lady goes fi rst. This is still expected by some English women,
especially among the older generation.
• Not to leave the inner side of a pavement to a woman
The idea being that a man should go on the outside edge of the pavement so that
he protects her from passing cars and splashes from puddles, etc. Again, the older
generation in England still expect this rule to apply, with many older men allowing
their wives to take the inside line.
• Not to make way for a lady when meeting her on the stairs
In other words, the lady has right-of-way. The older generation still expect this to be
applied. Most men in England would observe this rule today.
• To stare at people
I think that in England, like elsewhere, we enjoy looking at the other people around
us, and if those people then catch our eye, we immediately look away! Nobody likes
to be stared at, as though they are some peculiar object of interest. If a man stares at
another man, the result will nearly always be to risk confrontation.
• To repeat unnecessarily often the name of the person with whom conversation
is being carried on
I once heard a colleague of mine say: “Oh yes Sir Anthony, it’s a pleasure to meet
you Sir Anthony... Would you come this way please Sir Anthony...” To most folk in
England, such talk sounds rather false and as though the person doing the talking is
trying to gain some sort of favour with the other person.
^^^^^^^^^^^
I wonder how many of these incorrect conducts
are being practised every day in our society !!!!!!!!I.
.
Incorrect Conducts
To be noisy and assertive, sullen, or bored
The reputation that the English sometimes have for being rather shy and reserved
is expressed here, though it’s a bit harsh to tell people that they can’t be bored from
time to time! These days, England is not short of noisy and sullen people. The majority
of people do not see this as a good attribute though, especially in children and
young adults.
• To bang doors and talk noisily on the stairs
We all know that slamming doors is a great stress breaker and gives particular satisfaction
when done to someone you don’t like or who’s upset you! In spite of being
satisfying to the one who does it, most people in England respect the quiet and dignifi
ed personality, rather than those who make their feelings clear to others.
• To borrow even the smallest sum of money
This is probably good advice in general unless absolutely necessary, but hardly a
rule. However, in England, it is still considered to be bad form to borrow from someone
who works for you or is subordinate to you in some way.
• To use a pocket handkerchief in public, unless absolutely necessary
This one seems a bit harsh – what are you supposed to do if you have a streaming
nose? To many folk, excessive sniffi ng is worse than nose blowing. This is a rule that
doesn’t apply any more in England. Very noisy blowing of the nose might gain a few
stares, though.
• To question people about their private affairs
Most people in England would be very reluctant to question another person (especially
a stranger) about their private affairs, no matter how curious they are. Leading
questions might be asked, though, if the curiosity gets unbearable.
• To be unpunctual
Still holds today. There’s nothing worse than being kept waiting by someone who
is late. In England, most people expect others to be punctual for formal business or
other meetings, unless there is a good reason for being late. A call to explain that you
might be late for a meeting is appreciated.
To walk out of a door or into a lift before a woman
In other words, the lady goes fi rst. This is still expected by some English women,
especially among the older generation.
• Not to leave the inner side of a pavement to a woman
The idea being that a man should go on the outside edge of the pavement so that
he protects her from passing cars and splashes from puddles, etc. Again, the older
generation in England still expect this rule to apply, with many older men allowing
their wives to take the inside line.
• Not to make way for a lady when meeting her on the stairs
In other words, the lady has right-of-way. The older generation still expect this to be
applied. Most men in England would observe this rule today.
• To stare at people
I think that in England, like elsewhere, we enjoy looking at the other people around
us, and if those people then catch our eye, we immediately look away! Nobody likes
to be stared at, as though they are some peculiar object of interest. If a man stares at
another man, the result will nearly always be to risk confrontation.
• To repeat unnecessarily often the name of the person with whom conversation
is being carried on
I once heard a colleague of mine say: “Oh yes Sir Anthony, it’s a pleasure to meet
you Sir Anthony... Would you come this way please Sir Anthony...” To most folk in
England, such talk sounds rather false and as though the person doing the talking is
trying to gain some sort of favour with the other person.
^^^^^^^^^^^
I wonder how many of these incorrect conducts
are being practised every day in our society !!!!!!!!I.
.