Are you Miss or Master Manners?

1.After an exhausting day, you have managed to find a seat on the train. Then you see somebody who needs it more - an elderly person, perhaps, or a pregnant woman. Do you:

a. leap to your feet
b. close your eyes and pretend you haven't noticed
c. heave a weary sigh and get up slowly

2a. FOR HIM: Would you give up your seat for a lady in good health, who technically does not need the seat any more than you do?

a. yes
b. no
c. depends on how attractive she is

2b. FOR HER: What would you say if a man offered you his seat?

a. oh, stop being so patronising, you Neanderthal
b. thanks, but I'm fine
c. thank you very much - I won't say no/ you need it more than I do

3. Do you rise to your feet when somebody enters the room?

a. yes, always
b. no
c.only if the person is important

4.the pudding is delicious - and there's just a scrape left in the bowl. Do you:

a.eat it before anybody else gets their mitts on it
b.offer it to your neighbour
c. wave the bowl around then polish it off before anybody has a chance to ask for more

5.When staying in an hotel, do you:

a.hang your towels up but that's about it
b.make as much mess as you like - it's the maid's job to pick up after you
c.keep the room tidy and easy to clean

6.Do you hold doors open for others?

a.always
b.sometimes, if they are infirm or carrying heavy bags
c.never

7. On a first date, would you:

a.arrive at the front door with flowers and take the person somewhere really nice (or expect this to be done to you)
b.expect the person to meet you at your usual hangout
c.arrange to meet the person at a pleasant but economical venue convenient for you

8.It's your mother's birthday. Do you:

a.send her a card and present
b.forget it - again
c.take her out for a lovely meal

9 You are walking in the park, and a dog jumps up, muddying your outfit. Do you say:

a.not at all! My fault entirely, the dear little thing!
b.'it doesn't matter'
c.keep your mutt under control or I'll call the police. And what's your address? I'll be sending you a cleaning bill'

10.†dithery person pulls out in front of you when you are driving. Do you:

a.lean on the horn, shout and gesticulate
b.wait, rolling your eyes and tapping your fingers on the dashboard
c.mile and gesture them on

Now calculate your score

1.10      b0    c5
2.a10    b0    c5
2.ba0    b5    c10
3.a10    b0    c5
4.a0     b10   c5
5.a5     b0    c10
6.a10   b5    c0
7.a10   b0    c5
8.5       b0   c10
9.a10    b5   c0
10.a0    b5   c10

70-100: You are the modern soul of chivalry. You fall over yourself to be polite to all and sundry. You don't care what anybody looks like, or even how they behave. Your aim is to go through life being gentle, courteous and forbearing. Don't change.

40-65: You are reasonably polite, but you like people to be grateful for it. What is the point of being nice to others, if it appears that you are 'giving in' with such a bad grace? True politeness means making others feel that their happiness and comfort is your pleasure. Try harder, please.

0-35: There's not a polite bone in your body, and you know it. You may even take pride in your rude, surly, aggressive behaviour. You need to go back to the drawing board. Seriously consider how bad you make others feel. Try to treat them as you would want to be treated yourself - the results may surprise you. 

S I M P L Y   R E D 

Red hair certainly intrigues the scientific community. Indeed, researchers at a Scottish university are conducting a study of ginger-headed volunteers in an attempt to discover what role natural selection has played in the emergence of red-heads 

Jonathan Rees, professor of dermatology at Edinburgh University, wants to find out exactly why red hair is more common in the Celtic nations of Wales, Scotland and Ireland than in other parts of the world. In those countries, he says, up to ten percent of the population have red hair, while up to 35 percent carry a recessive ginger gene that means they could have a ginger-haired child if their partner is also a 'carrier'.

According to Professor Rees, this concentration of red-heads could either be the result of chance, or of natural selection. "The reason for selection may be that people with pale skin are better able to make vitamin D in their own body," says Professor Rees. 

"If you had dark skin and lived, say, in Edinburgh, you would be more likely to get rickets because diet and light was poor. In that situation it would be an advantage to have pale skin and red hair."

Studies have shown that red hair, whether strawberry blonde or bright red, is hereditary. If both parents carry the red gene, there is a 25 percent chance that their child will sport a ginger nut. If both parents are red-headed, the chance is almost certainly 100 percent. 

But what about the sudden ascent of red-heads in popular culture? Are auburn locks a genetic advantage, or is it simply that red-heads feel they have something to prove?

Edinburgh University cognitive scientist Mary Ellen Foster, who is herself a red-head, certainly suspects that coping with red hair made her a stronger character. 

"I wasn't taunted, exactly, but it was difficult to blend into the crowd," she says. "You can't not be noticed, so you tend to just go with it... I'm not the fiery redhead though, I'm easy-going."

Historically, however, red-heads have had a hard time. Dismissed as hot-heads or dunces at best, they have been viewed with suspicion and outright hostility at worst. 

The ancient Egyptians apparently buried red-headed men alive, while the ancient Greeks believed the hair colour was a sign that the owners were mentally unbalanced because their humours were in the wrong proportions. 

The association between the colour red and fire or heat probably accounts for the stereotype of red-heads as hot-heads given to impulsive decisions and dramatic mood swings. Many of Queen Elizabeth I's enemies claimed her hair colour alone was reason enough to criticise her, likewise Mary Queen of Scots and Rob Roy. In Europe, there was John the Redhead, known in France as Jean le Roux, Duke of Brittany, who took on the clergy and was excommunicated, but managed to talk his way out of it in 1237. 

Superstition has also played its part in society's attitudes to red-heads. In some cultures red-haired children were suspected of being in league with the devil. In others, the uniqueness of red hair meant red-heads were shunned as different and strange, existing on the periphery of village life.

Even in the 21st century, distrust of red-heads continues.

"A red-headed person is dangerous," according to one local proverb Reeves heard. "If there was a redhead in the village, and something terrible happened, he or she would always be blamed," someone else told him. "It's like - well - a tradition, but it lives on."

In fact, say the scientists, red hair is a useful warning signal. "Stay out of the sun," it shouts, as most red-heads burn easily and may have a higher risk of skin cancer.

Mary Ellen Foster, for one, believes red hair is something to celebrate. She has even launched a website praising her kind and extolling their virtues. And Hollywood seems to agree. Julia Roberts sports auburn hair, as do Susan Sarandon and the new Mrs Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston.

"Red is now the look-at-me colour," says Louis Licari, the colourist behind the luscious locks of Susan Sarandon and Penelope Ann Miller. "Whether natural or bottled, a hint of red gives a woman warmth and brightness. Warmer tones are more flattering to their skin."

Red, it seems, could be a passport to success after all.

-Asia Features

Boy wonder of Formula One

Does it take you ages to get ready for a night out?

In real time or girl's time? On the whole I'm superquick, but, OK, let's be realistic now. Chuck the clothes on, lipstick, blush and mascara - you're taking six minutes for my quickest time. Now, if I was getting ready with a girlfriend, applying our maquillage together, it might take a little longer!

Do you always reach for the hot pants?

Well in the current video I wear three glamorous dresses which I'm rather partial to. In fact, the new video is a hot pants free zone! But hopefully the overall effect will be equally as impressive.

Soul' glam?

Well I had this massive cuff and choker covered in diamonds. Liz Taylor would have been proud! I can't even imagine how much they were worth, but two security guards watched me like hawks. They gave me a real complex! They were convinced I was going to pick out a diamond and pocket it!

Are you a girlie girl or are you a tomboy?

I'm a bit of both really. Cos of my job I'm allowed to get dolled up a lot so I get it out of my system. If I didn't, I'd be going to work in the most full on gear ever. I'd be the sizzling secretary, definitely!

Would you prefer a girls' night out rather than one with the lads? 

I'm more of a cocktail rather than a pint of lager girl. I did sit outside a pub last night, which was unusual, but I had a glass of rose wine - nice girlie drink! I enjoy a half of Guiness when I'm in Ireland, but that's about it.

How would you cope with unwanted attention from people?

Most of the time people are just really friendly. A few start shaking and crying. I end up giving them a hug to calm them down. I get concerned rather than embarrased.

What about the lecherous men who won't take the hint?

Every woman has to deal with that! Most men are quite shy and don't say anything. I'd rather a guy just said 'Hello' and got over it!

Have you ever caught yourself dancing to one of your songs?

(Bashfully) If I have, I've blocked it out! When people put your song on at their club or in their restaurant thinking you'll like it, I'm like, 'Nooo!"

When was your last big night out?

Ooh, I can't tell you about that. But whenever I've been out late recently it's cos I've been working. When I played G.A.Y. (popular London nightclub) it was 2.30 a.m. then Ibiza was 3.30 a.m.

But, Kylie, you're a celebrated disco diva?!

Well, I've been so busy. Now I just want to be like grandma and have a nap at the end of the day!

Kylie's discotastic new single, On A Night Like This, was out last month.

Fast cars and fame, wealth and women... Ask most boys, young or old, to name their idea of the perfect lifestyle and it wouldn't surprise anyone if their answer included any or all of the above. At just 20-years-old Jenson Button, boy wonder of the heady world of Formula One racing, has the lot and that makes him something of a lucky guy by anyone's standards, including his own. 

Last week, for example, while most people battled with Monday morning traffic, Jenson was being flown by helicopter to Southampton for a jaunt aboard one of the 72ft. racing yachts which is due to set off round the world on the BT Global Challenge. As it was the first time Jenson had ever been sailing, his two hours at sea on the Compaq yacht persented something of challenge, but he soon seemed at home, crewing for skipper Will Oxley and taking a turn at the helm. 

"I started off thinking I might want something a bit quicker," he smiles, "but I really enjoyed it."

His cool-headed skill on the racetrack has already made him a favourite to be a future world champion, but he can't analyse what it is that makes him special. "I'm just me," he says. "I can't explain why I'm good at driving a car fast, although I am dedicated and focused." 

Does he love to win - or hate to lose? "Both," he admits. "If I win I love it and if I lose - well, I hate losing. Later I torture myself; if only I'd been a bit quicker, if I'd only done this or that... But there will always be ifs, won't there? When I finished fourth at the German Grand Prix and fifth in Austria, people said it was excellent. But winning's the thing. Standing on the podium, with the national anthem playing and people cheering, is the best thing, in the world." 

His looks and youth have pushed him into the public eye and earned him a nickname: "In Germany they call me Bebe. Now the team calls me that. It can be embarrassing when they say to a pretty girl, 'His name's Bebe.' 

Jenson has never allowed himself to think of what he might have done if he hadn't succeeded in racing. And the future? The BMW- Williams driver is to join the Benetton team on a two-year loan next season, but Jenson keeps his mind on the present: "I'm not even thinking about next year. This year is the important year at the moment and I'll just take it race by race." 

It's been an amazing, if somewhat gruelling year, with Jenson having to come to terms with fame as well as success. "I got even more attention than usual from the press because of my age," he admits. "I had to learn what to say and what not to say. It was all quite a shock to the system. Some of the things people have written... That was the main shock of getting into Formula One - how people could suddenly twist words around." 

Two issues attracted too much attention, he believes: his split from his girlfriend just months after joining Formula One, and the fact that his parents separated when he was eight and Jenson went to live with his father, John, while his three sisters stayed with their mother. He remains close to all his family, but has become so wary of having words put in his mouth that he's decided silence is the best policy when it comes to these areas. 

There have been more pleasant things to get used to as well, and he's quick to acknowledge them. "This year has been incredible," he says. "Obviously there's the racing, being with the Williams team. Away from the track, too, a lot has changed. I don't worry about money like I used to and, if I keep doing a good job, hopefuly I won't have to worry about it again." 

Was it hard for Formula One's newest, youngest recruit to earn acceptance from the other drivers? "I felt they thought I was too young, too inexperienced, but most have come up and said, "Sorry for what we said - you've proved us wrong." After two races, I think I was respected and now we all get on pretty well on and off the circuit. But as soon as you put your helmet on, it changes." 

Amazingly, he doesn't feel in danger on the track, hurtling round at speeds of up to 230 miles an hour. "It's much safer than it used to be and it's definitely safer than driving a car on the road." Really? "Yes, really." 

He is like all the other drivers, extremely fit. "You have to be fitter than some people might think," he says. "A race lasts an hour and 45 minutes, it's hot and the adrenaline's pumping. On the last race I lost three kilos of sweat, which is disgusting, so I drink seven or eight litres of water before I get in the car." 

However ruthless he is on the track, Jenson is also known to be a level-headed, all-round nice guy off it. Can you really get to the top, especially in something so fiercely competitive as FI, and still be nice? "I am sure you can," he says, "because I don't think I'm that horrible. I'm very determined and focused, but I don't think that's any reason to be unpleasant. It's good to get on with people and you've got to keep the people around you happy. When I get to work at around 8 a.m., the mechanics have been working for two hours. When I leave at 7p.m. they'll be there for another few hours. It's always nice to say hello and goodbye and they respect that." 

His childhood was unusual by any standards. His father, a successful rally car racer in his day, introduced his son to karting, travelling with him and encouraging him. Jenson's schooling was interrupted so much that he was unable to complete all but one GCSE. "It was a hard decision, whether so stay at school or race, but I think I made the right decision." 

He could say that. He remains extremely close to his father and is delighted they can enjoy the rewards of their years of commitment. "He's been behind me all the way, ever since I was eight," says Jenson. "Not pushy, though. He's always said I'm the one who's racing, so I must make the decisions. If I'd ever wanted to stop, I'd have stopped."

Perhaps the only thing his father hasn't done is teach him to drive. "He gave me two leasons in a field, but it was the father-son thing - 'Do this! 'No, I'm doing this!' We get on really well as friends, but teaching me to drive didn't work." 

Surprisingly, Jenson didn't pass his test first time - for a reason that gave every indication of what the future would hold: "I tried to get through a gap that wasn't there and the woman driver coming the other way ended up on the pavement!'

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