Being Good

Essay by EssaySwap ContributorUniversity, Bachelor's February 2008

download word file, 6 pages 5.0

Downloaded 23 times

Outline I Introduction A definition B people's impression 1 formal impression 2 common impression C thesis II History of Etiquette A old British style B Post family 1 original 2 extended C how rules have changed from old style / new ones not used III Kinds of Etiquette A common sense aspect B formal aspects 1 social 2 business IV How and when it is used A when the right time is B what situations require a change 1 indicators 2 parallel good V Personal view A what things are really important B why etiquette is relative 1 right to some / wrong to others 2 some expect more than others 3 situations can be perceived different ways VI Conclusion A re-discussion of why it is relative (from intro. & part V) B usefulness of defined rules 1 narrow situations 2 good common ones C re-statement / support from paper Websters Ninth collegiate dictionary defines etiquette as "The conduct or procedure required by good breeding or prescribed by authority to be observed in social or official life."

What this tells us is that those who are bred well, and feel that others are, have certain expectations of those people. If said people don't meet those undefined standards of good breeding, then their etiquette is at fault. The other part of the definition describes etiquette as being prescribed by authority. There are times when a set of rules are laid out for a specific occasion. When this is not defined, one must decide what action or set of actions is appropriate. It reminds me of the saying "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." Yet if I were to go to Rome, I'll still be American, and would have to decide if being in Rome is worth acting like a...