Twentieth century culture and deportment, or, The lady and gentleman at home and abroad : containing rules of etiquette for all occasions ... . talent, and,instead of detracting from your own merits, it will enhance themin the eyes of all. A young man was once heard by the writercounselling his sister from the depths of his own experience as asocial favorite. Never, said he, say one word against a girl toany young man. It only puts you down in their estimation. Saysomething pretty and complimentary about them if you can; if not,keep still. And his advice was words fitly spoken, that are, indee
Twentieth century culture and deportment, or, The lady and gentleman at home and abroad : containing rules of etiquette for all occasions ... . talent, and,instead of detracting from your own merits, it will enhance themin the eyes of all. A young man was once heard by the writercounselling his sister from the depths of his own experience as asocial favorite. Never, said he, say one word against a girl toany young man. It only puts you down in their estimation. Saysomething pretty and complimentary about them if you can; if not,keep still. And his advice was words fitly spoken, that are, indeed, like apples of gold in pictures of silver. Telling Stories. Stories should never be introduced into general conversation unlessthey meet several requirements. In the first place, they should beshort and well told. Secondly, they should be new to the companywhere they are told. Nothing is more tiresome than listening to atwice-told tale, though the height of good breeding is to smile over itstediousness. One way to avoid inflicting this martyrdom is to ask beforehand ifany one present has heard such and such a story. Then, in the third. A PROMENADE AT THE OPERA CONSULTING HER PROGRAMME ART OF CONVERSATION. place, it must be straight to the point, and directly called for as anillustration of the case in hand. Do not tell more than two or three stories or anecdotes in the sameevening. Never be guilty of relating in company a narrative that isin the least questionable in its import. This is utterly inexcusable,and, to so sin, is to render ones self unfit for social repetition. If some portion of an anecdote has met withapplause, do not repeat it. Its unexpectedness was its only charm. Absent-Mindedness. This is a sin against good manners which cannot be too greatlycondemned, being, as it is, in some measure an insult to the companyin which you find yourself. No one cares to be of so little importanceas to find the person addressed totally oblivious of his pr
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, bookidtwen, booksubjectetiquette
