#aftereightmints

It's now the time of year when we have to pretend we like our relatives, listen to the same stories over and over again, and be reminded as to why we never visit them during the rest of the year.

Whilst this takes immense patience, it also takes manners. Manners are the very foundations of 'Gentleman-dom'; not brogues, not tweed, and not a pocket square. Without manners you are not, and never will be, a gent.

Manners are free, you can grab as many of them as you feel you require, but do not leave them at home. You need them, they are the best weapon in your arsenal. Keep em' loaded. 

This leads me onto a behavioral trait we all tend to exhibit as a guest but which is widely misunderstood. The last After Eight. If you are reading from the UK, you will know the brand and associate it with middle class adults sitting around a dinner table literally salivating whilst contemplating who will be so bold enough (or rude enough) to snaffle the last chocolate from the box.

You should be so bold. Take it. Enjoy it. Not taking the last bread roll, chocolate, or drop of wine from your host implies they do not have the means to replace the supply. It's insulting.

Six adults sitting around a table politely declining the last chocolate is not good manners, it's bloody rude. Your host can supply more chocolates if they are required. If they are serving After Eights, they are probably delighted to get shot of them. That's why they are offering them. They have sat in a cupboard since last Christmas along with half a bottle of Drambuie. 

Wine. Are you a student? Do you have alcohol dependency? Are you that scared that your Uncle Roger will run out of booze that you simply have to take your own? If you are of adult age and rock up to Roger's with a bottle you are slapping Roger in the face; you are calling him poor. You are implying he does not have enough.

By all means take a gift for the host, just nothing food or drink related. It's rude. If Uncle Roger collects crystal elephants, indulge him. Get him one to add to his collection, it shows a lot more thought.