George Clooney: "How I feel about manners" Daily Mail Sept 2009

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George Clooney: How I feel about manners

By Gabrielle Donnelly

11 September 2009

Manners maketh man: George Clooney treats others as he would wish to be treated. If there's one phrase I would be happy never to hear again, it's 'telling it like it is'.

The other day I was at a party and a woman I didn't know came up to me and said, 'I hated your last movie.' I said, 'Oh. OK. Uh, thank you for your opinion.' She said, 'And I don't agree with your politics.' I said, 'OK. Well, we all have our own point of view, right?' She said, 'And you're a lot older in person than you seem on screen.'

She was just standing there saying all these things to me and, at last, I'd had enough. I smiled very politely and said, 'You know... those 35 extra pounds of weight you're carrying... they look just fantastic on you.'

She was astonished. She said, 'What did you just say to me?' I said, 'I'm paying you a compliment. I think all that extra weight looks terrific on you.'

She was furious! Called me an a***hole. I said, 'No, look here, I was just standing here minding my own business and you walked up to me and insulted me. Which one of us was out of line here?'

Now, I don't mind too much when that sort of stuff happens to me, because I'm an actor and, in this profession, we have to take a certain amount of personal commentary and so we do develop quite thick skins - besides, I can obviously give as good as I get when I want to. But it worries me when I see it happening to other people who aren't in the public eye, to my friends or my family. And what worries me particularly is that these days I see it happening more and more.

To my mind, there is a golden rule in society, which is quite simple and which makes everything in the world go round. It is this: treat other people the way you'd like to be treated yourself.

It makes sense to me, and it makes the world a nicer place. But I'm sorry to say, I sometimes see a sort of unkindness that's spreading through the world these days.

We've somehow got hold of the idea that we all must have an opinion on every single thing that happens, and even worse, that our opinion must be voiced, no matter how hurtful or offensive it can be.

I sometimes ask someone why they felt they had to say something hurtful, and they'll say, 'Well, you know, I'm just telling you how it is.' I want to say, 'Well, but actually, that's not the way it is, it's just the way you want to think it is. And sometimes, it's just an excuse for you to take a potshot!'

So here's my plea - next time you're tempted to 'tell it like it is', please don't. Please stop, think for a moment, and find something nice to say, instead. After all, it's only good manners.

But it worries me when I see it happening to other people who aren't in the public eye, to my friends or my family. And what worries me particularly is that these days I see it happening more and more.

MM wrote:It is tough being a celebrity, there are many things that are: damned if you do, and damned if you don't.

cindigirl wrote:
It's true, when you're a celeb you are no longer a private person, sad but true. I think George is seasoned enough to be able to cope with it though. It's the life he's chosen, and I think he can handle it.

it's me wrote:

cindigirl wrote:
It's true, when you're a celeb you are no longer a private person, sad but true. I think George is seasoned enough to be able to cope with it though. It's the life he's chosen, and I think he can handle it.

and I'm sure he will be able to keep doing it
even in a possible relationship
with a no-into-the-businnes woman

MM wrote:George needs to be in a true (non-PR) relationship with a woman who is not in showbusiness, who is financially independent, and is willing to complement him (like his mom does with his dad).

MM wrote:It is tough being a celebrity, there are many things that are: damned if you do, and damned if you don't.