This is an excellent article that was in our local paper this morning.
We wish you well, Savannah
Previous columns
To read more from Brian Hicks, go to: postandcourier.com/hicks
Congratulations, Savannah.
You've just been named the "most mannerly city" in the United States. It's quite an honor, as everyone here in Charleston knows, seeing as how we've won it the last 12 years in a row.
But we're way too polite and mannerly to mention that.
Just like no one here would ever, ever bring up the fact that you won because Charleston retired from the competition after last year's record-breaking win.
It would really be rude to point out that we still got the most votes. And the Holy City is not rude. Want to see our trophies that prove it?
Charleston's own Cindy Grosso, who owns the Charleston School of Protocol and Etiquette, gave Savannah the award Thursday.
She took over the write-in "Most Mannerly City" survey after the passing of etiquette expert Marjabelle Young Stewart, who gave us our 12 awards. Because Grosso kind of gave us an unfair advantage, as if we needed it, we decided to step down at the top of our game.
"We've kind of reached the pinnacle," she told the Associated Press. "I just thought it's time to share the award."
Random acts, kinda
Heavy is the crown, Savannah.
Being polite and mannerly is more than just taking money from visitors, waving hello to those loud people walking in your neighborhood or refraining from cussing out some idiot tourist with no better sense than to step out into Meeting Street at rush hour.
It's about being sensitive to other folks' feelings, all the time. Charleston has been expert at this for centuries.
For instance:
-- When certain people get up at a council meeting and start yelling crazy stuff, calling our city fathers all sorts of horrible names, Mayor Joe Riley always — always — says "Thank you" before ignoring them.
-- We cater to our guests' every need with Web sites about local hospitality, lodging and restaurants, such as www.charlestoncvb.com and www.charlestonchamber.net.
We even offer travel directions for departing visitors at www.gobacktoohio.com.
-- When we have a difference of opinion in Charleston, we are way too mannerly to actually argue over it. Take the I-526 debate. In an attempt to make everyone happy, we've developed 3,504 different plans to build, or not build, the rest of the Mark Clark Expressway. And unless we can all come together, we just won't do anything.
We've been politely ignoring that issue for nearly 40 years now.
-- And this may be the best example of our innate, heartfelt sense of manners. Even though our governor has sued state lawmakers, accused them of violating the law by overriding his vetoes, Charleston area leaders show Gov. Mark Sanford proper respect.
They routinely call Sanford "His Majesty" or even "Mr. President."
One bad century
Good luck, Savannah.
We wish you well. Because we are so mannerly, it doesn't bother us that you get more tourists than us, are taking our port business or have better movies filmed in your town.
And now you've got our award. Isn't that something.
It's a good thing we're such close sister cities — just two Southern belles — or we might actually get jealous.
But we stand on our past honors and will do nothing to tarnish those trophies. All 12 of them. For 300 years, Charleston has been among the most mannerly cities in this country, without a blemish on our record.
That whole bombing the tar out of Fort Sumter doesn't count. We were provoked.
Reach Brian Hicks at 937-5561 or bhicks@postandcourier.com. To read previous columns, go to postandcourier.com/hicks.
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