by A. G. Gardiner 1865-1946

Give the Wall

Social niceties are essential for the smooth operation of society, but neither boxing a man’s ears nor calling in the lawyers will bring them back.

1924

King George V 1910-1936

Introduction

Shortly after the Great War, a haughty customer entered a lift and barked ‘Top!’ Moments later he came tumbling out, ejected by the attendant on the grounds that he would not say ‘please’. A. G. Gardiner, who had watched in fascination, felt some sympathy for the lift-man, but feared the consequences for society if we began to think each man had a right to avenge every affront to his sensibilities.

by A. G. Gardiner 1865-1946

abridged

THE young lift-man in a City office who threw a passenger out of his lift the other morning and was fined for the offence was undoubtedly in the wrong. It was a question of “Please.” The complainant, entering the lift, said, “Top.” The lift-man demanded, “Top, please,” and this concession being refused he not only declined to comply with the instruction, but hurled the passenger out of the lift. This, of course, was carrying a comment on manners too far. Discourtesy is not a legal offence,* and it does not excuse assault and battery. [...]

It is a matter of general agreement that the war has had a chilling effect upon those little every-day civilities of behaviour that sweeten the general air. We must get those civilities back if we are to make life kindly and tolerable for each other. We cannot get them back by invoking the law. The policeman is a necessary symbol and the law is a necessary institution for a society that is still somewhat lower than the angels. But the law can only protect us against material attack.

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* This was written shortly after the Great War of 1914-1918.

Précis

A. G. Gardiner once saw a lift attendant toss out a passenger for not saying ‘please’. The attendant was fined, and though Gardiner sympathised he thought this was right. He regretted the decline in courtesy since the Great War, but he was sure neither physical violence nor the force of law was the answer.

Sevens

Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.

Why did the lift attendant refuse to convey the passenger on this occasion?

Jigsaws

Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.

A man got into a lift. He spoke discourteously. The attendant threw him out.

See if you can include one or more of these words in your answer.

IBanish. IIEnter. IIIRude.

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