Mr. Manners (aka Julian Ayrs)...Etiquette on approaching a stranger on the street!

This post was inspired by a hilarious encounter with a tourist on the Vegas strip this morning at the crack-of-dawn.

As I stood at the corner next to a couple of pedestrians at a light waiting to cross the street - for some inexplicable reason (a gulp of a soda earlier?) - I was unable to stifle a slight belch.

The burp wasn't loud mind you!

In fact, I cupped my hand over my face when I felt the rude noise coming on, in a bold-faced effort to muffle the embarrassing eruption as much as possible.

Due to my upbringing, I felt obligated (good manners required it, after all) to politely utter up a "excuse me" for the benefit of the strangers next to me.

The gentleman suddenly turned in my direction to respond.

"Yes?"

"Oh," I responded quickly on the uptake.

"I just burped, so I was excusing myself."

We both laughed instinctively.

The amusing scenario that went down was a laugh riot after all.

"Where I come from," the middle-aged man whispered, "A person says 'excuse me' if they want to ask a stranger on the street for directions and that sort-of-thing."

Obviously, the man came from good breeding was taught good manners by his parents.

Unless he went to finishing school, of course!

Crossing paths with this delightful individual (lucky for me he wasn't some a-hole like most you bump into at the local library or on the Vegas strip) ended up begging the question.

What is the proper etiquette to undertake when approaching a stranger in public?

For starters, a well-mannered person with class utters up the aforementioned helpful phrase to get the ball rolling smoothly.

"Excuse me."

Don't just dash up unannounced and invade the pedestrian's "space" - or they may think you're about to bang 'em on the hand - and make off with their wallet or diamond-studded wristwatch.

Or, they'll be expecting 'ya to pester 'em for spare change in the alternative.

And, when you get ready to depart, don't forget to thank the person warmly his or her kindness.

If you follow these rules, I expect the exchange will be a fruitful one, and that your karma on this earthly plane will increase tenfold.

Amen!

http://www.thetattler.biz