I am positive that there is a rule in his "Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior" coming soon about procrastination of which I will be able to write about the delinquency of this post. With that said, we finished listening to Glen Beck's book, "Being George Washington" that inspired this series in the first place. Towards the end of the book Glenn tells a story of George as a young boy sitting down at his desk, quill in hand, copying these same rules from another book. It definitely made me feel better, made George seem less larger than life. He did not create these rules after all - he merely read them and saw the potential of the man he would become if he incorporated this lifestyle in everyday living.
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.
Sleep not when others speak. I have failed this too many times to think. Back in college days, (not revealing how long ago that was) I attended Liberty University. We were required to attend chapel 3 times a week, which I didn't mind so much... it was a good napping opportunity. However I became so conditioned to sleep when I heard Jerry Falwell speak that it became impossible for me to stay awake whenever or wherever he spoke!
Perhaps I'd have been a good study for the psychologist Ivan Pavlov. Other things I have conditioned myself to: 1. Need of the restroom whenever cleaning the kitchen is mentioned. That started as a child and I don't think I've ever grown out of it. 2. Sleeping in the car - even if I'm not tired! Yes, I believe I would have been a good substitute for Pavlov's dog!
Sit not when others stand. I don't think this rule applies to women as much as it does to men. Social norms back then were the men always stood up when a woman entered a room, but the other women didn't have to. Times change but this rule still seems to exist in certain situations. Any thoughts?
Speak not when you should hold your peace. I got this one down! In fact, I am too adept at it. hmmm... I think that could be a whole other blog for another day, so I will leave that alone.
Walk not on when others stop. This is obvious. If you keep walking without the people you are with, you look like an idiot. They have either stopped because they see the tree you are about to run into or because they have realized that you aren't paying any attention to them. Personal experience with this: I have looked like an idiot on multiple occasions. I will leave that to your imagination.
Rule #7. Put not off your clothes in the presence of others, nor go out of your chamber half dressed.
Poor Timmy. When the children were young, I kept the doors open. It's what mother's do, after all a closed door presents itself to mischief . Bad habits die hard and now that the children are getting older I am consciously making an effort to close bedroom doors to avoid the embarrassment of him walking in on his mother half dressed. Fortunately, it hasn't happened but it still embarrasses him to know that I was just changing and he covers his eyes anyway until I reassure him I am decent.
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.
Louder than ordinary? I suppose that is open for interpretation. Some speak louder than others naturally. I am however, not one of them, but we all know someone who is. My daughter whispers too loudly and usually in church, and mostly about things of non-importance. When I tell her to tell me about it later, she "whispers" to me, "but I'll forget!". Hopefully she'll soon learn to whisper quietly.
Next blog I will tackle Rules 9-11:
9. Spit not into the fire, nor stoop low before it; neither put your hands into the flames to warm them, nor set your feet upon the fire, especially if there be meat before it.
10. When you sit down, keep your feet firm and even, without putting one on the other or crossing them.
11. Shift not yourself in the sight of others, nor gnaw your nails.
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