-manship
There are a couple of words that use the suffix “manship.” “Manship” usually refers to the art or skill of an act. For instance, “workmanship” refers to how well a job is done and “sportsmanship” refers to how well one conforms to the rules and conventions (i.e. politeness) of a sport. It is the making the “how” of an act proper (whatever proper may be).
Oddly, “manship” does not necessarily refer to advancement or success in something. A good workman produces a product of the highest quality. But, labor and production is not solely about quality. Price and quantity are important factors. Putting too much labor into something would either increase the price of the product or decrease the profits of the company. For every excellently made product, there is a completely unmade product that could have been assembled with that extra time. Most of us don’t need one expensive finely crafted pens; several cheap BIC is preferable.
Similarly, sportsmanship does not mean advancement or success either. Adhering to rules, including other teammates and staying calm can make it harder to reach one’s objectives. Having a good sportsman on one’s team can be incredibly annoying when one truly wants to win.
But, for some reason, we like workmanship and sportsmanship. Despite the obvious advantages of doing things otherwise, seeing people live by a proper code is comforting. In fact, we really dislike the opposite. No one wants to play with a poor sport and no one wants to work with lazy person even if their poor “manship” doesn’t affect them. There is an irrational pride in good “manship” and shame in poor “manship.”
In 1950, a British author named Stephen Potter wrote a book called “Some Notes on Lifemanship.” It was a tongue-in-cheek guide on the proper way to live life. Since then, a few more less-ironic self-help books have borrowed the term “lifemanship.”
It is not surprising that the empty, yet endearing, “manship” code that applies to sports and work would also apply to life. We tend to like people who are conform to the basic norms of life. People with jobs, who want to marry and who want to have children are normal. The jobless, single and childless are kind of weird. We steer clear of lazy people, liars, complainers and the self-absorbed. People that are only interest in self-gain and do not care for their friends and family make us uncomfortable. Those who cooperate, adhere to many social norms and are polite are met with acceptance.
In fact, it’s more than just acceptance; it’s respect. “Manship” may simply be a generous and cooperative compliance to social norms. It may be just perseverance to conform to an arbitrary code, thus a display of strength. Like any art, it’s hard to define, but we know it when we see it. Whatever it is, we like it.
Oddly, “manship” does not necessarily refer to advancement or success in something. A good workman produces a product of the highest quality. But, labor and production is not solely about quality. Price and quantity are important factors. Putting too much labor into something would either increase the price of the product or decrease the profits of the company. For every excellently made product, there is a completely unmade product that could have been assembled with that extra time. Most of us don’t need one expensive finely crafted pens; several cheap BIC is preferable.
Similarly, sportsmanship does not mean advancement or success either. Adhering to rules, including other teammates and staying calm can make it harder to reach one’s objectives. Having a good sportsman on one’s team can be incredibly annoying when one truly wants to win.
But, for some reason, we like workmanship and sportsmanship. Despite the obvious advantages of doing things otherwise, seeing people live by a proper code is comforting. In fact, we really dislike the opposite. No one wants to play with a poor sport and no one wants to work with lazy person even if their poor “manship” doesn’t affect them. There is an irrational pride in good “manship” and shame in poor “manship.”
In 1950, a British author named Stephen Potter wrote a book called “Some Notes on Lifemanship.” It was a tongue-in-cheek guide on the proper way to live life. Since then, a few more less-ironic self-help books have borrowed the term “lifemanship.”
It is not surprising that the empty, yet endearing, “manship” code that applies to sports and work would also apply to life. We tend to like people who are conform to the basic norms of life. People with jobs, who want to marry and who want to have children are normal. The jobless, single and childless are kind of weird. We steer clear of lazy people, liars, complainers and the self-absorbed. People that are only interest in self-gain and do not care for their friends and family make us uncomfortable. Those who cooperate, adhere to many social norms and are polite are met with acceptance.
In fact, it’s more than just acceptance; it’s respect. “Manship” may simply be a generous and cooperative compliance to social norms. It may be just perseverance to conform to an arbitrary code, thus a display of strength. Like any art, it’s hard to define, but we know it when we see it. Whatever it is, we like it.
posted by American Dilettante at
4:23 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home