With sales of more than 750,000 copies, the books in the GentleManners series have become the most popular gift etiquette books on the market today. This latest book in the series was written especially for boys ages 8-14, to teach them the basic skills every young man should have and every young man's mother and grandmother want him to have. Among the topics covered in this book are how to shake hands, how to make an introduction, what to do when you sneeze or cough, and how to use a napkin. It is written in a style that will appeal to young men of that age.

50 THINGS EVERY YOUNG GENTLEMAN SHOULD KNOW

WHAT TO DO, WHEN TO DO IT, AND WHYBy John Bridges Bryan Curtis

Rutledge Hill Press

Copyright © 2007 John Bridges and Bryan Curtis
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-40160-294-9

Contents

Introduction..................................................................xi1. Saying "Please"............................................................12. Saying "Thank You".........................................................53. Saying "Excuse Me".........................................................104. Making an Apology..........................................................145. Accepting an Apology.......................................................186. Introducing Your Friends to Your Parents...................................227. Saying "Ma'am" and "Sir"...................................................268. Asking Permission..........................................................299. Paying a Compliment........................................................3310. Accepting a Compliment....................................................3611. Knowing When to Keep Your Mouth Shut......................................4012. Listening to and Talking to Adults........................................4413. Shaking Hands.............................................................4814. Meeting People with Physical Challenges...................................5315. Accepting a Gift You Don't Like...........................................5616. Accepting a Gift You Like.................................................6017. Writing a Thank-You Note..................................................6318. Selecting a Gift..........................................................6919. Answering the Telephone...................................................7420. Taking Phone Messages.....................................................8121. Using a Cell Phone........................................................8622. Winning Well..............................................................9323. Losing Well...............................................................9724. How to Act in Places Where You Are Bored..................................10025. How to Behave in a Movie Theater..........................................10526. Traveling on an Airplane..................................................11027. Walking in Front of Other People..........................................11528. Responding to Invitations.................................................11829. Using a Napkin............................................................12230. Using the Correct Fork....................................................12731. Using a Knife and Fork....................................................13232. Refusing Foods You Can't Eat..............................................13533. Dealing With Foods You Don't Like.........................................13934. Ordering from a Menu......................................................14435. How to Use Chopsticks.....................................................14836. Putting Down the Toilet Seat..............................................15037. Opening the Door for Other People.........................................15338. Picking Up After Your Pet.................................................15739. A Gentleman and His Computer..............................................16240. Borrowing and Sharing.....................................................16741. The Unzipped Zipper and Other Embarrassing Situations.....................17242. Boundaries: Yours and Theirs..............................................17643. Taking Pride in Your Appearance...........................................18044. Tying Your Own Tie........................................................18545. Shining Your Shoes........................................................19046. When to Take Off Your Cap.................................................19547. Taking Care of Your Fingernails...........................................19848. Handkerchiefs and Tissues.................................................20149. Picking Up After Yourself.................................................20450. Personal Hygiene..........................................................208

Chapter One

Saying "Please"

Saying "please" is the simplest thing you will ever have to do. It is like taking the easiest class at your school. It is a slam dunk. It's probably smart to start using the word "please" as often as you can, beginning right now. It will make life go much more smoothly for you.

Here's what's in it for you: Remember when you were three or four and you would ask for something, and before your mom would give it to you, she would stand there asking, "What do you say?" and of course you would say, "Pleeeeeeeese." And she would give it to you. That was cute when you were three. But look how old you are now.

If you haven't already started using "please" all the time, you should be worried. And your parents certainly ought to be concerned. They may even be asking themselves, "Should we even bother putting him in the will?" or "Why should we be worrying about sending him to college? He can't even say `please.'"

Start practicing now:

At the breakfast table, you don't say, "Can I have some cereal?"

Instead, you say, "May I have some cereal, please?"

If somebody asks, "Do you want sugar on your cereal?" you don't say, "Yeah."

Instead, you say, "Yes, please."

If you're on a crowded elevator, you don't say, "Can somebody over there press nine?"

Instead, you say, "Would someone press nine, please?"

If you come to the door, and your hands are full, you don't say, "Hey! Somebody get the door!" Instead, you say, "Would you hold the door open for me, please?"

"Please" is a lot like plasma televisions, great cars, and having cash in your pocket. It makes the world a nicer place to live in.

Learn how to use it, and start using it now. It will take you far.

* You do

Say "please" any time you are asking someone to do something for you. That means, when you're in a restaurant, you say to the waiter, "May I have another soda, please?"

* You don't

Assume, just because other people are doing their jobs, that you don't have to show appreciation for their efforts.

* Why

One day you will realize that you should be as nice to the person who opens the door for you at Trump Tower as you would be to Donald Trump himself. If you learn that now, you will be way ahead of the game.

A gentleman knows that "please" and "thank you" go together like nachos and cheese.

* * *

A gentleman says "please" to anyone offering him assistance. It does not matter if he is being offered an order of fries or free tickets to a football game.

(Continues...)

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