This is for your amusement of course! Taken from "The American Domestic
Cyclopedia, a Volume of Universal Ready Reference for American Women in
American Homes" Copyright by F. M. Lupton 1890. Chapter 14, Pages 75-76
"Etiquette, General Hints"
Never speak of absent persons by only their Christian or surnames, but
always as Mr.____ or Mrs.____. Above all, never name anybody by the first
letter of his name. Married people are sometimes guilty of this flagrant
offense against taste.
No lady should permit a gentleman who is not a near relative, or very
old friend of her family, to defray the cost of her entrance fee to any
theater or exhibition, or to pay for her refreshments or vehicles when she
happens to be under his protection.
If a person of greater age or higher rank than yourself desires you to
step first into a carriage, or through a door, it is more polite to bow and
obey than decline.
Compliance with and deference to the wishes of others is the finest
breeding.
If you present a book to a friend, do not write his or her name in it,
unless requested. You have no right to presume that it will be rendered any
the more valuable for that addition; and you ought not to conclude
beforehand that your gift will be accepted.
Unmarried ladies may not accept presents from gentleman who are neither
related nor engaged to them. Presents made by a married lady to a gentleman
can only be offered in the joint names of her husband and herself.
Married ladies may occasionally accept presents from gentlemen who visit
frequently at their houses, and who desire to show their sense of the
hospitality which they receive there.
Members of one family should not converse together in society.
In entering a morning exhibition, or public room, where ladies are
present, the gentleman should lift his hat.
In going up-stairs the gentleman should precede the lady; in going down
he should follow her.
Do not smoke shortly before entering the presence of ladies.
Never sit cross-legged, yawn, twist your chain, lounge or fidget in
company, as is highly improper.
None but the ill-bred brag of their family connections, wealth, or
superior intelligence.
Do not lean your head against the wall, for by doing so you will soil
the paper.
No gentleman will sit in the house with his hat on, and especially in
the presence of ladies. A well-bred man will remove his hat as if by
instinct when entering a room. When handing a lady to a carriage, he, of
course, keeps his hat on, because his hands are rendering assistance to the
lady; but in leaving her, he raises his hat from off his head.
Another mark of ill-breeding is, in asking questions of a child about
family affairs.
Whispering in company is the most vulgar and ill-bred thing a person can
do, as it makes others think you are talking of them.
When entering a room, slightly bow before speaking to the persons there.
The person who will abuse or scold any one in the presence of others is
not worthy to carry the name of lady or gentleman.
Enjoy! Angela Kneller