Comments on: A Man Walks on the Curb

By: SOCIAL PRIMER « LA Gossip Girls

SOCIAL PRIMER « LA Gossip Girls — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 05:12:11 +0000

[...] For example, “In this age of rampant rudeness, you would think the presence of masculine grace would be appreciate…” [...]

By: KArla

KArla — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 19:23:30 +0000

yes, I love a gentleman, wether he’s my husband, bayfriend, a friend or even a stranger.Its jus wonderful to know that gentleness still comes as a characteristic of men 2day.

By: Barley Waters

Barley Waters — Tue, 11 May 2010 04:00:38 +0000

I think David summed it up precisely, “It is best to just be mindful of which side she would be more comfortable/protected and accommodate.” Etiquette, manners and norms should be practical, at least not offensive to others! It’s counterproductive to annoy a woman by trying to be polite. That clearly would indicate that you are more into your own habits than what the lady would enjoy. And, I’m only critical because I have done this before as well, and like SP, saw the error in my ways.

As far as the toilet paper comment, TP must roll over the top to see the design. There is no argument there, unless you bought a pattern that you dislike.

By: DH

DH — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 19:45:20 +0000

While I was taught this when young, reality is that my wife always to my left unless the situation dictates otherwise.

She is more comfortable there, and it leaves my dominant hand free.

By: david

david — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 16:38:49 +0000

I don’t think the rule is so clear. A lot of times i will walk on the building side if there are beggers or other people hanging around the buildings that may approach us. It also depends on how wide the sidewalk is. It is best to just be mindfull of which side she would be more confortable/protected and accommodate.

By: Taryn

Taryn — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 17:21:45 +0000

Ahhh…. So refreshing! I just love your etiquette for men, this is an important rule for gentlemen with manners.
Miss Taryn

By: Brent Longborough

Brent Longborough — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 13:52:01 +0000

I think the custom originated in mediaeval England. In towns, the open sewer ran down the middle of the road, and people threw “stuff” into it from upper windows. By walking on what is now the kerb side, a gentleman would protect his lady from getting splashed.

By: JT

JT — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:45:59 +0000

Not to create an uproar — but I was ALWAYS taught the opposite of what you are
declaring in this week’s piece. And that is — “a Gentleman escorted his lady-friend by walking on the ‘building
side’.”

I was told that this was to prevent your female companion from encountering any sort
of undesireable situations — whether they be purse snatchers, perverted strangers
intent on a quick and unsolicited physical encounter, or those who have a habitual
lack of residence and sit there in their own, shall we say, ill repute. Mind you, I am a 3rd generation San Franciscan — so we well know eccentrics.

Seems to me that this is a more tasteful version of the toilet paper argument — you
know the one where people get all giddy-upped on if the toilet paper should be over
the top (to show the pattern); or dispensed from the bottom. There is NO one right
answer.

Regards,
JT

P.S. I am enjoying your pieces, since discovering you from the Wall Street Journal.
Keep up the good work.

Dear JT,

Thank you for your kind words and for the interesting point you bring up
here. This is one of the reasons for SP. Perhaps not why it was created
but what the site has evolved into and that is, a forum to straighten out
the confusing labyrinth of old-school etiquette. I write from a Southern
perspective but try to include the alternatives, which are usually
European traditions.

Cordially,
SP

By: Juan Romero

Juan Romero — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:54:22 +0000

My mother has always made sure that I remember this rule and, at barely age 16, this too has become a sort of compulsion of mine! Just one more great thing my mother has done for me, I guess…