Some of you may heard an item the BBC Today program yesterday, quickly followed by this item on the BBC web site asking whether Charm is a subject which should be taught at school. Stephen Bayley the design critic, cultural commentator, author and charmer has written a book on charm and discusses the possibility of adding a little charm to the curriculum.
I have to say that there is no doubt in my mind that the sixth formers at my son’s school could do with a large portion of charm. On a recent walk through town I came face to face with a group of large teenagers whose minds were clearly on lunch and their own conversation. They took up the whole pavement and appeared totally oblivious to anyone else’s existence.
My wife has been pushed off the pavement by these single minded and charmless young men who appear to be totally enclosed in their own worlds.
A large helping of charm, an awareness of other people and “An added advantage is that charm deodorises the rank stench of testosterone” would be most welcome by the pedestrians of St Albans.
Stephen Bayley is the author of Charm