Oh, Behave! Part III
Another installment of "The Lady's Guide to Perfect Gentility (1856)."
How to address young gentlemen.--Do not be tempted to indulge in another proof of feminine indecorum, which may be countenanced, but can never be sanctioned by example; that of addressing young gentlemen of your acquaintance, who are unconnected with you, by their christian names. It opens the way to unpleasant familiarities on their part, more effectually than you can well imagine, unless you have been taught the painful lesson by the imprudence of a friend.
Against deceptive remarks and representations.--Much of the civility of fashionable life savors strongly of deception. We refer not only to the habit which some ladies have of sending word to visitors that they are not at home, when they are only engaged, but to the painful regrets that are often expressed at the distance between calls; to the unspeakable joy which is manifested on meeting a fashionable acquaintance; to the earnest imporunity that is exhibited for early visits, when the truth is, in each case, that the real feeling is that of absolute indifference. Guard against duplicity in all its forms. Rely upon it, it is not necessary to true politeness.
How to address young gentlemen.--Do not be tempted to indulge in another proof of feminine indecorum, which may be countenanced, but can never be sanctioned by example; that of addressing young gentlemen of your acquaintance, who are unconnected with you, by their christian names. It opens the way to unpleasant familiarities on their part, more effectually than you can well imagine, unless you have been taught the painful lesson by the imprudence of a friend.
Against deceptive remarks and representations.--Much of the civility of fashionable life savors strongly of deception. We refer not only to the habit which some ladies have of sending word to visitors that they are not at home, when they are only engaged, but to the painful regrets that are often expressed at the distance between calls; to the unspeakable joy which is manifested on meeting a fashionable acquaintance; to the earnest imporunity that is exhibited for early visits, when the truth is, in each case, that the real feeling is that of absolute indifference. Guard against duplicity in all its forms. Rely upon it, it is not necessary to true politeness.
1 Comments:
I just purchased this book at a flea market in rural Georgia. I am surprised to see someone using it in a blog... I will have to read your entire site to see how it fits into your blogs. Thanks for the laughs for now.
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