Charleston remains on its best behavior

It's Mecca of manners 10 times in a row Oh my, you shouldn't have! But thank you! For the 10th consecutive time, etiquette maven Marjabelle Young Stewart has placed Charleston atop her list of the nation's most mannerly cities. To gain the top spot, the Holy City elbowed past, or rather politely squeezed by, cities such as Peoria, Ill., and Salt Lake City. Stewart had high words of praise for Charlestonians, saying that manners are more needed than ever in an uncertain world. "I think that you people in Charleston can take a bow," she said. "You're setting a very high standard." Charleston long has been a fixture on Stewart's list. It has ranked in the top 10 every year since she created it more than a quarter-century ago and has finished first 11 times.Other cities apparently aren't chafing too much under Charleston's reign. "My hat's off to Charleston," said Gina Lew, a spokeswoman for the city of San Diego, which ranked second this year and which has multiple top-10 finishes. "I would never be the one to say Charleston should not be at the top of that list." Not only is Charleston the most mannerly city, it might be one of the happier, according to Stewart. She believes that good manners translate into good feelings. "Families that have good manners are happier," she said. Stewart, who has written a number of books on etiquette, compiles the informal list based on feedback she receives from travelers and others. She believes that good manners can rub off on others. Especially in Charleston. "When you're in a lovely area like that, it's contagious," she said.

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