Being George Washington - Week 2

To recap, after beginning to read the book, "Being George Washington", it reminded me of a list of rules of conduct our beloved President had made for himself that was in my possession.  I am conducting an experiment of sorts, What would my life be like if I applied this set of rules?; thus "Being George Washington".  If you haven't followed since the beginning, just go back three posts to catch up.

Rule #4:  In the Presence of others, sing not to yourself with a humming voice, or drum with your fingers or feet.

Wow.  Something so simple yet so hard NOT to do!  We try to spend time with each side of our family every weekend.  Sunday night is with Paul's family, Friday or Saturday night is with my parents.  Since Paul has become an avid game player, that's what we do with my parents - be it canasta, domino's, or spades.  (They got tired of my favorite game Blokus, cause I always win.  Not to brag - but it's recommended by Mensa.  Just sayin...)  There are moments during every game when the conversation lulls and everyone is concentrating on their next move.  This is the moment it strikes.  It comes from nowhere.  It's not planned.  I'm not aware of it.  It just happens - The humming begins.

Interjection:  I can't find the clip, but it reminds me of one of my favorite movies, About a Boy in which the young boy is talking to Hugh Grant's character about how no one likes him and mentions that during class he just started singing out loud the song that was playing in his head.  Hugh Grant declares, "Well, that's not a brilliant, idea - now is it?"  The boy's response, "I can't help it!"  <-----  (Yes, my ADD struck again.)

I believe some of us are predetermined natural hummers, it comes as instinct.  It's not something one sets out to do purposefully.  However, I understand why George highly recommends not do it in the presence of others.  In my case, it drives my father crazy, but being his daughter I am allowed to get away with things others wouldn't and thus start humming louder.

As far as drumming your fingers or feet - I don't do this, so don't have much to say about the matter.  I do recall in high school it was a habit of mine to drum my fingers, but it was done on purpose.  I would practice playing my flute during a class I was bored in.  I just used the desk in place of my flute.  Those days are long gone and the habit as well.

On second thought, I do like to snap pens...  but since he didn't mention them, it doesn't count.  (regardless of whether or not pens existed then!)

My advice:  If you catch yourself humming in public, stop or lower your voice.  You may be irritating those around you who are not so disposed to accepting your lovely humming sound.  Keep your tapping, drumming, snapping to times by yourself or with those that do it with you - you know, like in those Kit Kat commercials.

Rule #5:  If you cough, sneeze, sigh or yawn, do it not loud but privately, and speak not in your yawning, but put your handkerchief or hand before your face and turn aside.

Sneeze not loudly, but privately?  That's like asking lightning to strike behind the mountain and for the thunder that follows to only whisper.  Again, I am wondering what kind of man could be so disposed, so disciplined as to control his sneezing?  Granted, some people have cute little sneezes.  Unfortunately, others - myself included are not so gifted.

I've got the yawning thing down!  I remember in my teens, a good friend joined a music group that toured nationwide.  While on stage, they were not allowed to yawn so he told me he learned to yawn while keeping his mouth closed.  This impressed and intrigued me so much that I tried it myself and mastered the technique!  So now I can say, "Boo-Yah! Mr. Washington - can you do that?"  Of course, I really wouldn't.  Being that disrespectful really would defeat the purpose of Being George Washington, now wouldn't it?

My conclusion:  Do what is possible to keep coughing, sneezing, sighing and yawning to a quiet minimum while around others.  I reminded that in all of these rules, the priority is to always put the people you are with before yourself.  When in private, let it blow! 

Next Week: Rules 6-8
 
Rule #6. Sleep not when others speak, sit not when others stand, speak not when you should hold your peace, walk not on when others stop.

Rule #7. Put not off your clothes in the presence of others, nor go out of your chamber half dressed.

Rule #8. At play and attire, it's good manners to give place to the last comer, and affect not to speak louder than ordinary.