Greetings, Traveler Weekly Readers!
I’m Sherry Gordon-Harris, Certified Etiquette Consultant, owner and instructor of Royal Purpose School of Etiquette. Our purpose is to assist with the Total Refinement of You, including children and adults, by offering classes and workshops on Etiquette and proper Manners.
As we learned in the previous articles, Etiquette is the customary code of polite behavior in society or among members of a particular profession or group. Manners are a person’s outward bearing or way of behaving toward others. It’s a way in which a thing is done or happens. In general, Etiquette is simply respecting others and not causing an offense to others.
Spring is now here. This is the season to expect weather changes and lots of rain. But the act of chivalry does not have to get soggy when it rains. It is proper etiquette for a gentleman to hold an umbrella over the head of a lady when she is walking in rainy weather. This could be his girlfriend, wife, daughter, sister, mother, co-worker, fellow parishioner, or any lady in close proximity. It doesn’t matter. True chivalry should be extended to more than just those ladies close to the gentleman that they know.
If the lady for whom the gentleman is holding the umbrella is a girlfriend, spouse, or someone they know, the gentleman can pull the lady close to him under the umbrella over both of their heads for protection from the rain. If this is not the case and or the umbrella is so small it won’t cover two people, a sacrifice may be made by holding the umbrella over her head and the gentleman can brave the rain. Gentlemen, please consider that most of the time the lady may have a hairstyle that may be ruined if not protected from the rain. It may also take a long time or a lot of money to fix it when it gets wet. Men don’t always have that issue.
This type of chivalry should begin and continued when a lady is about to exit a car, leave a building, or already walking in the rain. A gentleman would go the extra mile and run to her with an umbrella and cover her to her destination. Not only will this act of kindness make you feel chivalrous, but others will say, “What a gentleman!” This is a phrase that is not heard often enough these days.
Chivalry is not dead, but it is rare. It should be displayed not only when trying to impress a date, but it should be made a way of life.
Once again it has been my pleasure sharing this Etiquette tip with the Traveler Weekly Readers. There’s more to come. Well wishes to you and your family. I encourage everyone to, “Live your life with Purpose in a Royal Manner”.
If you, your family, or group want to learn Etiquette for the first time or just want to brush up on your skills, consider enrolling in a scheduled class or book a private class with Royal Purpose School of Etiquette LLC. We can help with the Total Refinement of You. Contact Sherry Gordon-Harris at (309) 585-6145 or e-mail RoyalPurposeSOE@gmail.com or visit http://www.RoyalPurposeSOE.com. Thank you.
The Traveler Weekly 