For some reason, I was reading George Washington’s Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation. These 110 rules were written by French Jesuits in 1595. Mr. Washington had to hand copy the rules at age sixteen as penmanship assignment from his schoolmaster.
For those of you who don’t understand, a schoolmaster is a teacher and penmanship was pretty writing with an instrument called a pen. This was way back before computers and the internet made pens, English and teachers obsolete.
Anyway, rule number 30 states, “In walking the highest Place in most Countries Seems to be on the right hand therefore Place yourself on the left of him whom you desire to Honor: but if three walk together the middest Place is the most Honorable the wall is usually given to the most worthy if two walk together.” The penmanship was great, I presume, the old English is a little more difficult.
I believe he is saying that we should take the polite walking position to the left of the honored one. If there are three people walking, the middle (middest) is the honor position and if there is a wall when two are walking, then give the wall to the honored one.
Why am I even bothering you with this. Well, you would not be a bothered if you just ignored these Moans to begin with, however, it brought to mind a pet peeve of mine.
When walking with a lady, a gentleman should walk on the road-side. In this way, he is providing protection from the splash of cars and the occasional hit from the pickup truck. I see men violating this unwritten rule all the time. They let their ladies happily walk in the danger zone.
Ladies, use your best penmanship to text this message to all your male friends: Take your walk on the danger side. Tell them President Washington said so.
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