My mum and dad, who by the way are the best people I know, brought me up to live by a code of rules … no not Dexter-esque type rules! But instead by a code of ethics, a code of living. Be nice to people, treat people with respect, don’t steal physical objects etc.
They also brought me up with a sense of chivalry and with a sense of etiquette.
I treat people the way I want to be treated.
I always ask people how they are. I always hold doors for women (even though some scowl at me for doing so), I hold chairs out for women to sit at the table and I believe in helping people for no reason other than to simply be nice to help them out if they need a hand.
I ask for nothing in return except to know that I have done a good deed (curse my cub scouts training) however what I’m not a fan of is blindly helping someone to win a prize.
I will help someone out with their digital marketing as I specialise in that area. I’ll re-write their press releases. I’ll edit their web copy. I’ll go over to a friend’s house at 7am and help them move their entire home but I don’t really like helping someone I don’t know for nothing more than to enable them to beat others who are trying their best to win it fair and square.
Sorry for the blurb on me but it will explain my annoyance.
Tonight on Twitter I got followed by a person who shall remain nameless – cause I’m not that much of a heartless bastard – and they said:
“Hi Scott, may i ask a favour, 1 digital marketer to another? Please LIKE and RT this link so I can win a trip o/s”
I mean seriously that’s rather rude. I had been following them but they hadn’t been following me and then they follow and ask this. That’s rather rude isn’t it?
And so I reply: “Not sure of the etiquette of following and asking for favours before knowing the person. Bad digital etiquette?”
Now I figured this would be the end of it. I put it to Twitter and everyone said yes…RUDE!
Also it wasn’t over. Oh no. No no no. Not at all. Nup.
“I’m just asking a favour.” he says. “You’ve been following me for a while so I thought u would know a bit about me. If i don’t want to then don’t” – please bear in mind that I follow over 3,000 people and can’t know everything about everyone. I’ll help people out if I have spoken to them and they need a hand and sometimes I’ll reach out if someone tweets something that I can help with but I’m not on Twitter 24/7 and don’t know ALL about the people I follow.
He follows it up with: “Remember the time you were super passionate about something? Did etiquette matter? Nope. Twitter isn’t an English tea party”. – seriously what the fuck?
I still tried to play nice and said back: “Yup I’ve been following you however you just begun following me and asked a favour. Surely that’s impolite?”
He came back once more: “Seems we have different views on what is polite or not. I consider anyone sharing their passion for digital as a positive thing.”
Passion for digital?? He’s trying to win a Ben and Jerry’s trip overseas!!!?? What the hell does that have to do with digital except he reached out to me by DM on Twitter.
I’m not naming you kid but you have a lot to learn about being a digital marketer … and being polite!
kiltforhire 
It must be a Scottish thing because I find that written manners in the rest of the world are seriously lacking. I say written manners because Scottish people behave extremely rudely in Marks & Spencers, on the roads and the Glasgow Underground.
Good for you for calling this person on his or her mercenary-ness. Fine, if the person wants to offer you a pro-rata share of the ice cream. This is highly unlikely.
Agreed. Incredibly rude. Have had a couple of instances that have played out in relation to my foodblogging. People I’ve never met or heard of asking for quite significant favours. I feel bad saying no, but then realise, there’s actually a limit to what you can do, and it’s better to limit yourself to people you know/are acquainted with than to help every random stranger. Particularly when it’s for something that only benefits them!
Some people exist in a world whereby they are innately considerate of other human beings, whereas some are in it for themselves and are self-absorbed and selfish individuals.
This person asked a stranger for assistance, without giving the courtesy and consideration such a request morally deserves.
Says a lot about the other person’s values.
That’s about just as rude as a having a woman scowl at your for holding the door open for her. Utterly ridiculous.
I can’t understand why people are so rude. I mean, it wouldn’t have been so bad if he had asked for your help and told you that, in exchange, he would take you on his trip…then it MIGHT not be so bad. 😉