Comments on: Heading Out on Your Own — Day 17: Essential Etiquette for Young Men

By: Rex Berg

Rex Berg — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 19:57:25 +0000

Huge congratulations on being mentioned in the New York Times! Love seeing this blog enjoy much-deserved success.

By: Charles H. Westgate III

Charles H. Westgate III — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 03:40:26 +0000

I learn Good Manners from my family, my parents!

By: BCMcC

BCMcC — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 15:31:35 +0000

Greetings –

I have only scratched the surface of this site – but it is timely and wonderful. My only request is an addition to this article – “How to break a date like a gentleman!” I’m a gay man who has been stood up too many times (from my teens to last week…) and if something ever comes up on my end, I always call, give an explanation, and apologize and hope to reschedule.

If I am no longer interested in the individual, I tell them that pointblank. Perhaps not the best way, but if you tell someone a week in advance, that is kinder than the day before or worse, an hour before. Maybe the authors of the site have a better solution under this sub-topic. A few years ago, there was a book published called “He’s Not That Into You.” As a gentleman and a gay man I find that book troubling – so many straight and gay men behave badly when dating – and we aren’t even discussing sexual encounters (a gentleman probably never does that anyway.)

My ex-boyfriend went beyond the typical gentleman call. When we would go on a date and he would drive, he would pick me up, unlock his door, walk around behind the car, come beside me and unlock my door and open it for me. THIS IS SOMETHING I WILL NEVER FORGET ABOUT HIM! Do that on a first date and every subsequent date, you will be half way there to having her or his heart – just make sure you want it!

By: Bryce

Bryce — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 21:48:30 +0000

In the spirit of the matter, thanks for positing this.
In the spirit of making things simple, remember these four things:
1. Be kind.
2. Don’t be gross.
3. When in Rome, do as the Romans do
4. When in doubt, ask.

By: Ben Stafford

Ben Stafford — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 13:18:06 +0000

This is serious e-book material. I hope you consider it :-)

By: paddy

paddy — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 06:08:43 +0000

Helps to understand where you are as well. In Britain it is not common to tip. At a restaurant you may round the bill up to the nearest £5 if you like but nobody will think any the less of you for no tip. If you are paying by card then you can’t leave a tip anyway. In certain circumstances it is seen as flashy at best and condescending at worst. You wouldn’t tip at a bar for a round of drinks… the Barman is only doing his job.

By: David

David — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 00:40:12 +0000

This article is excellent.So many young men could use a read like this. Manners go a long way in life, the sooner you learn them the better.

By: Nathanael J. Putrich

Nathanael J. Putrich — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 02:06:09 +0000

Brett and Kate,
Love the Article. As a 17 year old young man, it is so helpful to get some quality advice on mannerisms and etiquette. Honestly, with the material you have in this article and the links you provided, you could definitely make a third book. I would definitely lined up to purchase it! Thanks again!

By: Staci

Staci — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 14:18:11 +0000

Kind of wish I could download this to my son’s Kindle…can I? Bahaha! Anyhow, if I can’t, I’ll print in sections…

By: Richard

Richard — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 16:12:37 +0000

Enjoyed this post. I hope everyone takes note of the “How would you like to make $2.50 an hour and get stiffed on a tip after busting your butt serving people” line. I, in fact, make $2.13 an hour serving people, and it seems more and more people are leaving lousy tips (maybe it’s the economy?). If you’re not going to tip properly because it’s the right, appropriate thing to do, then at least do it because when you leave a poor tip, you are viewed by many people (myself, my co-workers) as a horrible, un-compassionate jerk. Not gentlemanly at all.