The Errant Æsthete

The world of manners, civility and social graces can be found in all cultures and walks of life. For example, a week ago, the EA posted the rules of etiquette or jetiquette as it’s known among practitioners, which covered the code of conduct when hopping a ride on a friend’s private jet (EA post 11/04). Now out of the BBC, discovery of a list of “ten commandments” (found in a mafia boss’ hideout) for proper mafioso etiquette or what is thought to have been drawn up as a “guide to being a good mobster.” Essential reading for the up-and-coming hood hoping to make an impression at the next country club fundraiser.

1. No-one can present himself directly to another of our friends. There must be a third person to do it.

2. Never look at the wives of friends.

3. Never be seen with cops.

4. Don’t go to pubs and clubs.

5. Always being available for Cosa Nostra is a duty - even if your wife’s about to give birth.

6. Appointments must absolutely be respected.

7. Wives must be treated with respect.

8. When asked for any information, the answer must be the truth.

9. Money cannot be appropriated if it belongs to others or to other families.

10. People who can’t be part of Cosa Nostra: anyone who has a close relative in the police, anyone with a two-timing relative in the family, anyone who behaves badly and doesn’t hold to moral values.

In an engaging little exercise, Mark Frauenfelder of boingboing compared it to Gene Autry’s Cowboy Code (from 1930), which is just about the best set of rules for living a good life that’s even been recorded:

1. The Cowboy must never shoot first, hit a smaller man or take an unfair advantage.2. A Cowboy must never go back on his word, or a trust confided in him.

3. A Cowboy must always tell the truth.

4. A Cowboy must be gentle with children, the elderly and small animals.

5. A Cowboy must not adovcate or possess racially or religiously interolerant views and ideas.

6. A Cowboy must help people in distress.

7. A Cowboy must be a good worker.

8. A Cowboy must keep himself clean in thought, speech, action and personal habits.

9. A Cowboy must respect women, parents and his nations’s views.

10. A Cowboy is a patriot.

Link (Via The Day They Tried to Kill Me)