The Art of Manliness: Classic Skills and Manners for the Modern Man by Brett Mckay, Kate Mckay Read Free Book Online Page A

the free lodging, bring a gift. It doesn’t have to be big or expensive.

    Keep your area neat. Before you leave each day, make sure to make the bed and straighten your room. Put your dishes in the dishwasher after you use them.
    Pitch in with the chores around the house. Help prepare the meals, wash the dishes and take out the trash. A gracious host will never directly ask you to help, so just get in there and start lending a hand.
    Let your presence interfere as little as possible with your friend’s normal routine, household duties and career. Your friend may of course wish to take time off to hang out with you, but you should never be the one to impose on their schedule. Do your best to conform your routine to the routine of the household, as to not get in the way or create an imposition.
    Disclose your schedule. Let your host know your schedule every day and do all you can to stick to it. This will help your host plan when to serve meals and how late they need to stay up.
    Do not ignore your friend altogether. If your friend lives in a destination city and the purpose of your trip is both to visit with your friend and to see the sights, you should not entirely eschew the former to pursue the latter. No one wants to feel like you are simply using them as a hostel. Do your sightseeing when your friend is at work, plan activities together for when they are not, and invite your host on your excursions.
    Come with some ideas about what you want to do and see. While your friend will surely have many things they wish to do with you, they should not be expected to entertain you all day long.
    Even if you don’t find all the activities your host plans for you enjoyable, keep your disappointment to yourself. Part of visiting a friend is accompanying them on excursions they enjoy. Your friend is working hard to entertain you; let him know you appreciate his efforts.
    Don’t criticize your host’s hometown. If you are say, a proud New Yorker paying a visit to your country cousin in Omaha, do not go on and on in unfavorably comparing their city to the Big Apple. Most people are proud of their hometown; be generous in your compliments of it.
    Always ask. Remember, you’re a guest. Even if someone tells you to make yourself at home, still ask before you start using things. It’s just polite.
    Don’t overstay your visit. As wise old Ben Franklin said, “Fish and visitors stink after three days.” Your host has things to do, and they can’t put their life on hold forever.
    Strip the bed before you leave. Your host will likely wash the bed linens after you leave. Help make their job easier by stripping your bed before you depart.
    Write a thank-you note. Showing true hospitality is one of the greatest kindnesses a friend can bestow. Be sure to express your gratitude to them by sending a note of thanks soon after your trip.
    The Art of Thank-You-Note Writing
    Gratitude is a virtue every man should cultivate. Yet gratitude means nothing if you haven’t mastered the art of expressing it. A man should use every opportunity to express to those around him how much he appreciates their love, support and generosity. One of the key ways of expressing gratitude is the thank-you note. Unfortunately, many men today completely overlook this aspect of etiquette and consequently break the hearts of sweet little grandmas everywhere. Every gentleman should be knowledgeable of the whens and hows of writing thank-you notes. Being a frequent and skillful writer of them will set you apart from your uncouth peers.
    Manly Advice: When to Write a Thank-You Note
• When you receive a gift. (Especially if the gift is from your Italian grandma. If you don’t write a thank-you note, she’ll put the moloch on you.)
• When someone performs an act of service for you.
• When someone goes above and beyond what is asked of them, whether at work or in a friendship.
• After a job interview.
• When you stay overnight at someone’s home.
• When