1. Never Shake A Man’s Hand Sitting Down
Standing to shake someone’s hand conveys respect, assertiveness, and a professional demeanor, while also aligning with cultural expectations and projecting positive body language.
2. Never Shake A Woman’s Hand Sitting Down Either
This extends the same principles of respect, etiquette, and professionalism to interactions with women. Again, Standing to shake someone’s hand, whether a man or a woman, conveys respect, assertiveness, and a professional demeanor. It demonstrates that you value the person you’re greeting and are willing to make the effort to present yourself appropriately. Additionally, it aligns with cultural expectations, projects positive body language, and helps prepare boys and young men for future professional interactions.
3. When Shaking Hands, Grip Firmly And Make Eye Contact. Smile. This reinforces confidence and engagement during the handshake. A firm grip shows assuredness, while making eye contact establishes a connection and indicates attentiveness. By smiling, the handshake conveys warmth, friendliness, and positive body language, which can help create a favorable first impression.
4. Don’t Enter A Pool By The Stairs
This is a metaphor for life. Jumping or diving into the pool makes more of a splash and grabs attention, unlike quietly using the stairs. It relates to having confidence to introduce yourself boldly.
5. In A Negotiation, Never Make The First Offer
By not making the first offer, you avoid anchoring the negotiation at a potentially disadvantageous point from the start. It allows you to get information and understand the other party’s position and intentions first before staking out your own opening offer. It can give you a psychological advantage by maintaining ambiguity initially and putting the onus on the other side to show their hand first.
This guidance teaches boys and young men the importance of being tactful, patient, and letting interactions unfold before overtly stating one’s position prematurely in a negotiation context. In broader terms, it’s a lesson about thinking strategically, not rushed decisions, reading situations effectively and using discretion with your bargaining power.
6. Always Request The Late Check-Out
To me, this is about understanding leverage. The advice implies understanding you may have some leverage or bargaining power in certain situations, such as hotels often granting late checkouts if occupancy allows. In life, it’s about recognizing where you may have advantages to negotiate better terms.
7. When Being Told A Secret, Keep It
This is about trust, integrity AND emotional intelligence. Keeping a secret when someone confides in you demonstrates reliability and respect for that person’s privacy. It builds trust, which is essential for healthy relationships and being seen as someone worthy of confidence. Betraying a secret can severely damage relationships and your reputation for trustworthiness.
Additionally, being able to keep a secret shows maturity, discretion, and good judgment about sensitive matters. It’s a sign of emotional intelligence to know when certain information should remain confidential.
In a broader sense, keeping secrets is part of practicing empathy, loyalty and boundaries. You validate the vulnerability someone showed in confiding in you. Conversely, divulging secrets without care can hurt others.
Ultimately, honoring secrets is about being a person of integrity who can be discreet and discerning about earned confidence. It’s an important part of learning to nurture relationships based on mutual trust and respect.
8. Hold Your Heroes And Your Friends To A Higher Standard
Holding heroes and friends to a higher standard demonstrates a strong sense of values and principles. It means not giving them a free pass just because of their status or closeness to you. Instead, you expect exemplary behavior and accountability from those you admire and care about.
Instead you are seeking to promote integrity by refusing to excuse or enable poor conduct from people you look up to or are close with. It challenges the tendency to turn a blind eye to the flaws of heroes or friends.
By holding them to a higher standard, you uphold your own moral compass and send a message that you won’t compromise your values for personal relationships or idolization.
It also reflects emotional maturity and wisdom. You can separate the persona from the person, appreciate their positives while still criticizing negatives positively and objectively. This balanced perspective prevents idolization
9. Have Them Hold You To A Higher Standard
This one may be a little bit tougher but is just as important. It means being willing to receive honest critiques and feedback, even from those who admire or care about you deeply.
By inviting heroes and friends to hold you to a higher standard, you show a desire to continuously improve yourself. You don’t let closeness or admiration create a blind spot to your own flaws.
It reflects self-awareness – recognizing that you are a work in progress and can always strive to be better. This openness to constructive criticism prevents arrogance or complacency.
Importantly, it models the same integrity and objectivity that you expect from others. You lead by example, holding yourself to the same high standards you set for heroes and friends.
There is also an element of courage here! Use this as a teaching point as well. Being vulnerable enough to expose your shortcomings and mistakes to those whose opinions you value deeply. But that vulnerability can unlock valuable insights for self-improvement.
10. Always Return A Borrowed Car With A Full Tank Of Gas
This is about more than just borrowing someone’s car. At its core, this demonstrates respect, responsibility, and consideration for others. By returning a borrowed car with a full gas tank, you are essentially “returning it in the same or better condition” than you received it. This simple act shows that you respect the owner’s property and are thankful for the lending.
It also reflects reliability and accountability. When someone lends you their possession, they are placing trust in you to take care of it responsibly. Filling up the gas upholds your end of that unspoken agreement.
Beyond just cars, this principle translates to being a conscientious borrower of anything – returning borrowed items properly maintained or replenished. It displays good character. YOUR Character.
On a deeper level, this promotes mindfulness and considering how your actions affect others, even in seemingly small ways. It shapes a thoughtful, others-oriented approach to relationships and society.
11. Play With Passion Or Don’t Play At All
This emphasizes the importance of wholehearted commitment and enthusiasm in one’s endeavors. Here’s a brief explanation:
What you’re teaching is to challenge half-hearted efforts and encourage a full embrace of passion in whatever activity or pursuit one chooses to undertake. It advocates for an all-in mentality, rejecting mediocrity or going through the motions.
Having passion implies intense desire, energy, and genuine care for the work at hand. It’s the difference between doing something as a chore versus a labor of love. Passion breeds motivation, creativity, and a drive for excellence.
By teaching to not play at all if passion is lacking, it underscores that half-hearted work is often worse than no work. Apathy and disinterest lead to poor outputs that reflect negatively. To me, it is usually better to refrain entirely than tarnish something with lackluster efforts.
Going deeper, you are encouraging living an authentic, purposeful life aligned with one’s core values and intrinsic motivations rather than going through unfulfilling motions.
12. Never Let A Wishbone Grow Where A Backbone Should Be
To be clear, what you are teaching here is to be against being indecisive, timid or lacking a strong sense of self. Here’s what I mean:
A “wishbone” represents fragility, meekness and an inability to stand firm. In contrast, a “backbone” symbolizes strength of character, resolve and the courage of one’s convictions.
Warn against letting insecurity, people-pleasing tendencies or an avoidance of hard choices erode one’s sense of identity and backbone. Indecisiveness creates a metaphorical “wishbone” – flimsy and ineffectual.
You’re advocating developing an inner steel and personal philosophical boundaries that you uphold regardless of external pressures. Having a backbone means making difficult decisions aligned with your values, not just going along with whatever is convenient.
There are shades of rejecting the victim mentality here too. A wishbone easily gets bent out of shape, while a backbone supports unwavering stances. The imagery is intended to encourage self-determination over relinquishing control.
13. You Marry The Girl, You Marry Her Family
Teach your son or whomever that when you marry someone, you are not just entering into a partnership with that person alone, but also with their family. In many cultures, family plays a significant role in an individual’s life, and when two people marry, they also become a part of each other’s families.
This means that relationships with in-laws, extended family members, and the dynamics within the family can have a significant impact on the marriage.
You are teaching that it’s important to consider the family dynamics and relationships of your partner before marriage, as they can influence your own relationship. Building a strong and positive relationship with your partner’s family can contribute to a harmonious and supportive environment for your marriage. Conversely, conflicts or strained relationships with in-laws can create tension and challenges within the marriage.
Overall, you are underscoring the interconnectedness of families in marriage and the importance of acknowledging and nurturing these relationships alongside the relationship with your spouse.
14. Experience And Enjoy The Serenity Of Traveling Alone
Traveling alone offers a chance for self-discovery, personal growth, and a deeper connection with the world around you.
Firstly, traveling alone allows you to set your own itinerary and follow your own interests without compromise. You have the freedom to explore destinations at your own pace, indulge in spontaneous adventures, and immerse yourself fully in new experiences without having to consider the preferences or schedules of others.
Additionally, solo travel promotes independence and self-reliance as you navigate unfamiliar environments, solve problems, and make decisions on your own. These experiences can build confidence and resilience, empowering you to tackle challenges both on the road and in other aspects of life.
Moreover, traveling alone provides opportunities for introspection and introspection. Without the distractions of companionship, you can connect more deeply with your thoughts, emotions, and surroundings. This can lead to moments of clarity, self-reflection, and personal growth as you gain new perspectives and insights.
Furthermore, solo travel fosters connections with people from different cultures and backgrounds. Without the safety net of familiar company, you may be more inclined to interact with locals and fellow travelers, leading to meaningful encounters and friendships that transcend borders.
15. Never Be Afraid To Ask Out The Prettiest Girl In The Room
A motivational statement that encourages boys and young men to overcome their fears and take risks when it comes to romantic pursuits. The phrase suggests that they should not let intimidation or self-doubt prevent them from approaching someone they find attractive or intriguing.
You are promoting confidence and self-assurance in romantic interactions. It advises individuals to embrace courage and initiative rather than letting opportunities pass them by due to fear of rejection or inadequacy. By taking the initiative to ask out someone they are interested in, individuals can seize the chance to get to know that person better and potentially form a meaningful connection.
Instead of being swayed by superficial factors like appearance or social status, it encourages individuals to pursue genuine connections based on mutual attraction and compatibility.
Additionally, “never be afraid to ask out the prettiest girl in the room” suggests that beauty is subjective and should not be a barrier to pursuing romantic interests. It reminds individuals that everyone has their own insecurities and vulnerabilities, regardless of outward appearances, and that taking the first step in initiating a conversation or asking someone out can lead to unexpected and rewarding outcomes.
Overall, encourage individuals to overcome their fears, embrace confidence, and take proactive steps towards pursuing romantic interests, emphasizing the importance of seizing opportunities and being true to oneself in matters of the heart.
Also, if everyone thinks that way too, she just might be available.
16. Never Turn Down A Breath Mint
Your breath stinks. Someone is politely giving you a hint. Do us all a favor and accept it. Say Thank you.
17. A Sport Coat Is Worth 1000 Words
Present yourself, particularly through your choice of clothing, can convey a significant amount of information about you without the need for words. In this context, a “sport coat” symbolizes a certain level of sophistication, professionalism, and attention to detail in one’s appearance.
18. Write Your Own Obituary. Never Stop Revising
A thought-provoking statement that encourages individuals to reflect on their lives, values, and accomplishments while embracing a mindset of continuous self-improvement and growth.
But also, take it literally and write your own. You know yourself best and who better to describe the way in which you wish to be remembered. No one else knows your accomplishments, your inner thoughts, your emotions. When you do eventually pass it will be a sad moment for everyone. Do them a favor and have that part completed so they don’t have to.
19. Eat Lunch With The New Kid
We’ve all been there at one point in our lives. This simple act of kindness fosters a sense of belonging and promotes meaningful connections within the community. By extending friendship and support, individuals can create a culture of inclusivity and empathy, enriching the lives of everyone involved.
20. After Writing An Angry Email Or Text Message, Read It Carefully. Now Delete It! Nothing good will come of sending it. Ever. Parents, you should practice this as well. Yup, I’m looking at you.
21. Ask Your Mom To Play A Game. She Won’t Let You Win
Mothers often prioritize teaching valuable lessons over letting their children win to boost their confidence. It implies that maternal figures are inclined to provide challenges that encourage growth, resilience, and perseverance rather than simply giving in to their child’s desires.
Moreover, I’m trying to highlight the nurturing nature of mothers and their desire to prepare their children for the realities of life. By presenting challenges and opportunities for growth, mothers play a crucial role in fostering independence, confidence, and self-reliance in their children.
22. Manners Maketh The Man
Okay okay okay, I admit that I borrowed this line from the movie The Kingsman. It holds true though. It is also, however, a timeless saying that emphasizes the significance of good manners and etiquette in shaping one’s character and reputation.
By demonstrating politeness, empathy, and courtesy towards others, you will teach people not only to enhance their own reputation but also contribute to a harmonious and respectful society.
23. Give Credit. Take Blame
Describe the importance of expressing gratitude when warranted and owning up to your mistakes by apologizing and changing your behavior, rather than blaming others. This fosters fairness and honesty in our interactions, ultimately promoting better relationships.
24. Stand Up To Bullies. Protect Those Being Bullied
If you see someone being mean or hurting someone else, you should speak up and help them. Being brave and standing together with others who are being treated badly can make things better and show that kindness is stronger than meanness.
To be clear, I’m not condoning violence but at the same time I don’t think you should accept it either. We all deserve to feel safe and happy, so let’s be friends and look out for each other.
25. Be Confident And Humble At The Same Time
What I mean is believing in yourself and your abilities, while also being respectful and kind to others. It’s like knowing you’re good at something, but also being friendly and not bragging about it. It’s important to be proud of yourself, but also remember to treat everyone with kindness and respect, no matter what. That way, you can feel good about yourself and make others feel good too.
The Unofficial Ambassador for the State of Texas
