Unusual Wild West Etiquette Tips That People Wouldn’t Ever Allow Today
Rugged outlaws and trigger-happy gunfighters weren’t the only things wild about the Old West in the 19th century. Just look at these, ahem, interesting etiquette tips from the same time. Yeesh! The unwritten rules of cowboys, pioneers, and prospectors certainly wouldn’t fly today — and maybe shouldn’t have even applied back then. So saddle up, cowboy. This is going to be a bumpy ride…
Don’t look back
The so-called Code of the West was an unwritten set of guidelines for good cowboy behavior. But it’s not all gold. Take this one, for example: “After you pass someone on the trail, don’t look back at him.” Today, the Illinois State Bar Association states that it’s important to be “aware of your surroundings” if you want to keep your loved ones safe. So pay attention!
Save your breath
“A cowboy doesn’t talk much; he saves his breath for breathing.” Tell us you don’t think of Clint Eastwood’s Man With No Name after reading this etiquette tip? Yet while it might speak to a certain kind of cowboy, it definitely isn’t appropriate for the 21st century. The tip now reads like a perfect example of toxic masculinity.
Can’t complain
You won’t catch a cowboy complaining about, well, anything. It’s part of the unwritten code! Apparently, it’s because “complaining is what quitters do, and cowboys hate quitters.” Yet a study in 2015 found that people who complain and search for a solution are generally happier than those who don’t. So quit whining about whining, cowpokes!
Fortune favors the brave
In the Wild West — and throughout history — bravery has been celebrated and cowardice has been damned. After all, who doesn’t want to be the hero? But maybe things aren’t as black-and-white as they once were. Dismissing someone’s inaction or hesitation as cowardly could even be dangerous, as cooler heads can sometimes prevail.
