Sometimes the rules of etiquette seem to be bothersome, but they are designed to make social relations pleasant. Etiquette is merely acting like a well-bred human being should act. However, the meaning behind some polite custom is not always apparent at first glance. The custom of saluting, for example, stems from the days when knights wore armor. Their helmets covered their faces to such an extent that it was impossible to recognize even one’s best friend. Therefore it became customary for knights to identify themselves by lifting the visors of their helmets. Nowadays, the average soldier doesn’t wear a visor, but he still preserves this old medieval custom by saluting.
Shaking hands is another polite customer with an old history. During the Middle Ages it was very dangerous to travel because of the large number of robbers that lurked along the roads. Therefore, when two travelers met, they commonly extended their hands to show that they carried no weapon. Today the handshake is merely a sign of our good will and sincerity, but we also express our friendliness by various greetings. Such expressions as “How are you?” and “I hope you’re feeling well” are designed to express our interest in the welfare of others. Even the word goodbye is a shortened form of “God be with ye”. Such expressions stem from man’s desire to be friendly and polite.
The old saying “When in Rome do as the Romans do.” is never more true than when at the dinner table. In some parts of Japan, it is a sign of appreciation to drink one’s tea or soup with such gusto and smacking of lips. But in most Western countries no noise should made while eating. Eating utensil, too, differ from country to country. The Japanese use chopsticks, while Western people usually employ the knife and fork, however, varies from country to country. This precaution can save the traveler a lot of embarrassment.
Ignorance of social usage can result in many blunders. A young couple of newlyweds from the country went to New York on their honeymoon. To celebrate the occasion, they decided to have dinner at a fashionable restaurant. The dinner proceeded without incident until almost the end when the waiter placed two small silver bowel of warm water before the bride and groom. To the girl’s horror, her husband picked up the dish and began to drink the water. Her face turned scarlet as the fervently hoped that no one had noticed that her husband drank the water in his finger bowel, but at the time it was no laughing matter.
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