Be Kind To Your Mother And Even Kinder To Strangers
“Always be kind to people, because everyone is fighting some kind of battle.”
Smile, Always Smile
Charm has many misleading euphemisms that have, over time, diluted its integrity. The saying ‘good looks and charm’ alludes to flirtatious encounters with the opposite sex. This is of course because everything is about sex, except sex, which is about power (according to Oscar Wilde).
But I digress. Charm is not a quality but an ability that everyone is capable of possessing. It can be exhausting or rewarding depending in your outlook. However, people of every country and background can and do deserve respect. Kindness is worth everyone’s time.
“Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use.” -Emily Post
Just be nice. Hold a door open, look the cashier in the eye when you say thank you, and tip the waitress whose feet are probably aching from her 8 hour shift.
Execution
Ladies and gentlemen, take note: insincere charm only works if you are good at acting. To be good at acting you must be convincing in the art of lying.
Keys To Success:
Eye contact. People believe eye contact. This is a self-proclaimed fact.
Tone of voice. Hold back your sarcasm even if you cannot believe the woman at the market just asked what gruyère was. She doesn’t know any better.
The Firm Handshake. In my experience, even the most pompous of senators take a firm handshake seriously.
A wise man once told me that everyone has an inherent need to feel better than others - exploit this fact to the best of your ability. Act humbly and ye shall receive.
