In matter of manners Holy City No. 1 againThis year, contest run by local group By David Slade (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Thursday, March 27, 2008
On the WebWell, I declare. Charleston has been named the "most mannerly city" in the United States for the 12th year in a row. But the Holy City has now been declared ineligible to win again, so that other cities will have a fighting chance. Charleston won the contest for 11 consecutive years when it was run by Marjabelle Young Stewart, an etiquette expert from Illinois who died last year. The contest is now run by The Charleston School of Protocol and Etiquette, sponsored by Charleston hospitality interests, and offers those who vote a chance to win a free vacation in Charleston, all of which might seem to give a slight edge in the contest to Charleston. Still, Charleston School of Protocol and Etiquette owner Cindy Grosso said that the city was the clear winner among voters across the nation, capturing 219 of the 746 votes counted. Only 44 of votes for Charleston came from within South Carolina, she said. "It really was a landslide, and not from people in Charleston," Grosso said. "Only 19 of the votes were from the Charleston area." Savannah took second place in the poll, with 39 votes, followed by New York City in third place. Grosso said she considered barring Charleston from the 2007 contest, after the city was given a lifetime achievement award last year. But polling already had started, and Grosso said her lawyer advised against changing the rules. For the 2008 contest, which has begun, votes for Charleston will be counted, but the city is eligible only to win the new "preservation award." The same rule will apply to any city that wins five consecutive "most mannerly" contests. Reach David Slade at 937-5552 or dslade@postandcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 19 comment(s)
Posted by mac0cm4 on March 27, 2008 at 5:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This 'study' or 'survey' must only be conducted in areas where there are high tourist concentrations. I can assure you they're certainly nice where the degree of posterior kissing is directly related to whether they make a buck or not... but the rest of the area is average...
Posted by Harpo on March 27, 2008 at 5:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"The contest is now run by The Charleston School of
Protocol and Etiquette, sponsored by Charleston
hospitality interests, and offers those who vote a chance
to win a free vacation in Charleston, all of which might
seem to give a slight edge in the contest to Charleston."
THAT explains a lot right there. Wonder if Riley's behind
this somehow.
Posted by ChrisRobin on March 27, 2008 at 7:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Cheez, can't you folks accept the fact that you're lucky to live in the "Most Mannerly City in the U.S."? Maybe I'm missing something here but most people would be happy to have their city recognized for something other than crime statistics, corrupt politicians, etc. Get over it and be happy for once!
Posted by lexylady on March 27, 2008 at 8:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I had the unfortunate experience of being robbed of my purse downtown a couple of years ago, and while pointing the gun in my face, the guy said "Thank You" right before he hi-tailed it around the corner.. So, I guess you could say he "had manners"!?! He did get arressted, and I identified him.. Oh Yeah.. I told him Thank Ya for getting his sorry butt caught!!
Posted by ln1959 on March 27, 2008 at 9:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
For all that don't think Charleston is very Mannerly, come to Northern VA. See if anyone speaks to you. You know how us Charlestonians speak to everyone, they look at you like your crazy. When someone is walking toward you, they turn their head, so they don't have to speak. (black or white and lets not take about the ones from over seas). So enjoy it, believeme, its well deserved.
Posted by RTC on March 27, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
In 1959, I agree. Regardless of what people say about our area, I have always had people speak to me, and it's nothing to start up a conversation with a total stranger around here.
Posted by Larz13 on March 27, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ln1959--I travel frequently to northern VA from Charleston and not only are the people there standoffish, they are probably the rudest drivers. Glad I moved away...I cannot stand that place but travel there is a necessary evil since my clients are there.
Posted by crankyyankee on March 27, 2008 at 9:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ya'll have manners? Bless your hearts!
Posted by riddiksgirl on March 27, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Alright! We got the crankyyankee using the word ya'll! Score! Seriously though, I have traveled from Charleston to Palm Springs on Greyhound. It started off great and just went down hill from Atlanta on. In Charleston, if I am walking towards a door, it is always held open for me. I love this, and I always say thank you. Not too shabby upbringing, I suppose.
Posted by wpc3iop on March 27, 2008 at 11:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I just dealt with the Charleston County Auditor's office and I can assure you that they are doing nothing to add to Charleston's reputation of good manners!
Posted by amylrod on March 27, 2008 at 11:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If you were raised to be courteous and you believe that is is a virtue to show kindness to everyone, then it is easy to behave that way no matter where you go or who you encounter. I was not raised in the South but I was instilled to be courteous and respectful from my parents and teachers. No matter where I went, it was my nature to smile, to say hello, and not turn my head away from strangers. It helps to break the ice and to witness to others that a smile and a kind word goes a long way. There is definitely room for improvement in any business where there is customer service as wpc3iop observed. It is best to speak to a manager if you feel the quality of people skills left you walking away angry and dissatisfied.
Posted by ashleyriver on March 27, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good manners is nothing more than common decency. And being polite is simply showing the respect due any human being.
Posted by Harpo on March 27, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Friendly, yes, but as far as actual manners go .. no.
Watch the locals eat and see if they exhibit table
manners. There's a world of difference between being
friendly and having good manners.
Y'all.
Posted by ForPnC on March 27, 2008 at 4:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I've traveled the world and have to say that as long as they're not in their cars the people around here are the friendliest I've ever met.
Posted by lexylady on March 27, 2008 at 5:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Must be cuz a dat Awendaw moonshine!! Ya'll come back now, ya heah!!
You be fa me, and I be fa you!!
Posted by svESinKW on March 27, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'd rather be friendly and kind and totally oblivious as to which fork to use than the other way around. Y'all.
Harpo, how come you can make so much sense one day and then totally blow it the next?
Posted by walleyedwoman1215 on March 27, 2008 at 11:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
you be fa me and I be fa you! LOL!
When I moved here from N.C. in 1990 and saw Cuz'n Arthur in a political TV commercial, I almost died. Figured it was some kind of strange parody and then found out he's legit. Well, sort of...
Posted by Harpo on March 28, 2008 at 7:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm just pointing out the article deals with manners such
as removing one's hat indoors or at a meal, or asking
people around if it's OK for you to smoke or knowing how
to properly hold a fork. The article deals with manners,
not how friendly they are.
The Beverly Hillbillies were as friendly as they could be,
but they weren't portrayed as well mannered, were they?
There's a difference, folks.
Yes, Charleston is a big old friendly bubba, I agree.
Posted by archdude on March 28, 2008 at 8:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A big load of BS...it is one of the rudest cities I have ever been around (if driving etiquette is taken into account). I'm sure folks are nice to tourists to get their money, but from what I have seen it appears that if a Charlestonian cannot get something from someone then there is no reason to be nice to them. They just start with the "go away", "Yankee", or some other stupid talk.
Then again, when the survey/study is done locally you just can not trust it. There is too much conflict of interest. Besides, you just have to wonder although it states only 44 votes came from within SC, how many of their 746 votes have Charleston ties to some other capacity?