during your encounters with people? That is, when you are interacting with people, what clues point to you being better-raised or of a higher class?
Some English lord once said something about shoes being the absolute constant, but as far as I’m concerned, the use of profanity automatically tells me I’m better, as does the use of language which, politically correct or not, can be construed as offensive by some members of society, whether it’s racist, sexist, homophobic, etc. Also, manners which draw attention to the person speaking as opposed to the substance of the message. Other things go without saying, like digging for boogers, or farting, burping loud, etc.
Clothes wise: Shoes certainly give away a lot. Clothes that dont match or are of bad taste. Kitsch.
Education is the other. People with more “breeding” have better vocabulary and more sophisticated constructions. Education cant be acquired overnight… while looks and clothers can.
As for profanity and other stuff… that depends on age. Very young and very old tend to care less about it.
Anyone interested in breeding clues would do well to read Paul Fussell’s Class: A Guide Through the American Status System. Written in 1983, it’s dated but it’s also a thoroughly entertaining read.
Good Breeding in Others to Me is:
Manners - holding doors open/no burping/excuse me’s/thank yous
Vocabulary/Language Use - no swearing/correct word usage
Intelligence - degrees don’t matter but ability to comprehend does
Consideration - give and take conversations/how are yous
So, a mentally-challenged person with all of the other requisite qualities can never be considered to be well-bred?
To me, good breeding (I hate that term) is mostly tact. To me, it’s being polite in all circumstances, appropriately dressed, displaying good manners, but, most importantly, making those around you as comfortable as possible. It’s also the ability to adapt one’s manners to the current surroundings with good-natured aplomb.
It matters little to me if your parents were gas station attendants or Harvard allumni. Nor does having a college education ensure more good breeding than only having a GED. “Good breeding” is much more than lineage or money (the Royal Family should be proof of that.)
It is funny that what you classify as “Good Breeding” is indicated by the outward apprearances and how they would show themselevs to other people.
Is it good breeding to have snazzy shoes and clothes but not have worked an honest days work in their lives?
Is it good breeding to have impeccable vocabulary (or spelling skills) but have the person you are talking to have no idea what you just said?
Is it good breeding to be politically correct (shiver damn thats almost oxymoronic)? To not mean what you say and say what you mean?
Good “breeding” is a myth. You are what you make of yourself. There is no natural predisposition to be good or bad. What is important is how one percieves ones self. If you are a good person inside, then you are a good person outside.
