FREE online courses on Etiquette in Business - Sons Of
Self-Made Men
And yet, speak to self-made men of the need of the social graces for their sons,
and nine out of ten stampede-for all the world as though it were suggested to
put them in petticoats. Do they think a poor unlettered lout who shambles at the
door, who stands unable to speak, who turns his cap in his hands, who sidles
into the room, and can't for the life of him get out again, well trained for the
battle of life?
Picture that Mr. Strong Man who thrusts his thumbs into his armholes and sits
tipped back in his chair with a cigar in the corner of his mouth and his heels
comfortably reposing on his solid mahogany desk. This is not in criticism of his
relaxation, it is his own desk and certainly he has a right to put his heels on
it if he wants to; likewise thumbs and armholes are his own. It is merely a
picture that leads to another: Supposing a very great man comes into Mr. Strong
Man's office-one whom he may consider a great man, a president perhaps of a big
industry or of a railroad, or a senator-and shortly afterwards, Strong Man's own
son comes into the room. Would he like to see his son abashed, awkward,
spasmodically jerky, like the poor bumpkin who came the other day to ask about
removing the ashes, or worse yet, bold and boisterous or cheeky; or would he
like that boy of his to come forward with an entire lack of self-consciousness,
and as his father introduces him as “My Son!” have him put out his hand in frank
and easy and yet deferential friendliness? And then saying quickly and quietly
whatever it was he came to say, as quickly and quietly make his way out again?
Would he be sorry that the big man thought, “Fine boy that! Ability too!” Why
would he think he had ability? Because the ease and dexterity with which he
handled the social incident automatically suggests ability to handle other
situations!