Stagecoach Etiquette #4: No Hogging Buffalo Robes

Wednesay August 28 2013

To persevere with our continuing education on proper stagecoach etiquette, in case one day we return to this form of long distance transportation, we peruse rule #4.

"Buffalo robes are provided for your comfort during cold weather. Hogging robes will not be tolerated and the offender will be made to ride with the driver."

I certainly would not like to be accused of hogging a buffalo robe, because if it's cold enough to need a buffalo robe, I would not want to be banished outside to ride with the driver, where it would really be cold.

So mind your manners and courteously share the buffalo robes provided.

(Rule #1 is HERE; Rule #2 is HERE; Rule #3 is here.)

Stagecoach Etiquette #3: Rough Language

Thursday April 18 2013

To persevere with our continuing education on proper stagecoach etiquette, since one day we will likely return to this form of long distance travel, we peruse rule #3.

(Rule #1 is HERE; Rule #2 is HERE.)

"Gentlemen must refrain from the use of rough language in the presence of ladies and children."

This, like many of the rules, seems pretty obvious, and fairly easy for most gentlemen of the Western persuasion to accomplish (think: tip of the hat and nod, an eye wink, and 'Yes Ma'am'). Even the rougher sort can hold the bad language in until the stage pulls over for one of its quick stops on the route, at which point the rougher gents can spill out of the stage, void their mouths, and climb back into the stagecoach in peace for another couple of hours.

However, there is no fine print underneath this rule to instruct the rougher sex in how to handle the situation when the gentle sex and children use uncouth language in the close confines of a long-distance stage journey. Anything goes there, I reckon.

Stagecoach Etiquette #2: Spit With the Wind

Thursday March 14 2013

Stagecoach Etiquette #2

This one may be obvious to most of us, but then… the Wild West does have some unruly characters, and heaven forbid we Gentle Sex (ladies, I presume) might be offended… or spattered.

"If ladies are present gentlemen are urged to forego smoking cigars and pipes as the odor of same is repugnant to the Gentle Sex. Chewing tobacco is permitted but spit WITH the wind, not against it."

Stagecoach Etiquette #1: Selfish and Un-neighborly

Monday March 11 2013

Confession: I am addicted to Bonanza re-runs. And seeing as it looks like everybody's going to return to the Wild West and start wearing their six-shooters on their hips again like those glory days of old (actually we have a neighbor who does regularly, and I spent a lunch at a local small-town burger joint sitting beside a rancher with one on his hip), I think it's time we start getting ready for a return to horses for transportation, with buggies, wagons, and stagecoaches.

Preparing for the time we'll be traveling those long distances by stagecoach, we will be reviewing, from time to time, proper stagecoach etiquette. That way,

"Adherence to the rules will insure a pleasant trip for all."

#1. "Abstinence from liquor is requested, but if you must drink share the bottle. To do otherwise makes you appear selfish and un-neighborly."

To Be Continued...