Daylight savings time had us all up very early this morning. My two boys and I were watching early morning television. We couldn't resist when an old episode of Popeye the Sailor came up and had to do with etiquette. The episode was called "Learn Polikeness," and was about a hypocritical etiquette school run by Popeye's nemesis Bluto.

The name of the school is Prof. Bluteau's School of Etiquette. His slogan is, "For a little dough you can be well bred."

We see Bluto waiting for a customer in his elegant penthouse apartment. Of course, he is leaning back in a chair, dressed sloppily, and eating a banana with ghastly manners.

Olive Oyl and Popeye pass by the school. Olive insists that Popeye learns to be a gentleman, and enrolls him in Bluto's classes. When the new customers arrive, Bluto dresses impeccably and shows Popeye up with his perfect etiquette. Of course, we soon see Bluto's true colors, the fighting begins, the spinach comes out, and Popeye wins the day once again.

Still, the cartoon shows an age old truth about etiquette: You can put on the right clothes and have the right behaviors, but you can't hide your true colors. If you aren't truly coming from compassion, warmth, civility, and respect, formal etiquette training won't mean a thing.

Here is a link to this cartoon on YouTube for you to view:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-Pe2xmaabA

I hope you get a kick out of it, too.