Did you know that I love etiquette books and I have started to gather a small, but fun collection. I don't know that it's helped me that much. I think that I tend to read and forget. However, this book is destined to be one of my favorites. Debrett's, I understand, are the favored etiquette books to our British friends, even though one reviewer wrote this title, "Insight into bizarre tribe." And, as you read, there are some differences between America and Britain, especially in table manners. Don't, however, go to England and call your napkin a serviette. I was told that was correct, but Debrett's says.. NEVER!
John Morgan writes about etiquette with a great deal of satire. I feel like John Morgan, the author, is looking down his nose at me as he is saying things like...
"Generally speaking, it is bad manners to behave in a loud, disruptive or irritating way in public; this the behavioural preserve of drunken louts leaving pubs at closing time."
here's one for me...
"Chewing gum is ugly and uncouth." (Sigh.. I love gum! Orbit Sweet Mint is my very favorite.. but I promise not to chew gum in Britain.)
and this one I couldn't agree with more...
".. even less appealing on the pavement is the sight of dog dirt. Really good mannered owners carry plastic bags to remove any offending matter." When I take a walk in my town, I find that I spend a great deal of time looking down at the ground to avoid dog mines rather than up at the lovely sky and flowering trees... I find this very irritating. Some of my neighbors even allow their pets to come into my yard and garden to use the restroom. My garden is not a dog bathroom. Now be honest.. that is not thoughtful or kind behavior.. correct?
This one is quite obvious, but it was written in such a funny way I have to include it..
"Queuing, although not the great British institution it once was, is still part of the national psyche. Thus it remains bad manners to jump any queue, be it at a bus stop or in the collection line for vouchers for the Royal Enclosure from St James's Palace on the Monday of Ascot week."
I could see that people could be especially sensitive to slights on the Monday of Ascot week so be cautious travelers.
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All this has put me in a great mind to see the film, The Queen, which I am adding to my Netflix queue today.
***P.S. Please come back tomorrow. I am hosting another giveaway this Friday and every Friday through July 4th!
7 comments:
i too have always loved manner books. they are such look into "yesteryear". i would loved to have lived in a time when good manners were sooo important. not to say that they aren't important now, but things were different back then.
ooooh almost forgot about Ascot Week!! lol!!!
Happy day to you Tiffany!!
xoxo...jenn
I love good etiquette. It is something I do require my chidren know although they don't always follow. There is a online book I found published in 1922 it's called Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics and at Home, by - Emily Post.
http://www.bartleby.com/95/
It's kind of a kick and not completely out of date.
I love etitquette thursday! What a fun book! Hey, whatever happened to your granny chic spots? I miss them!
Everyone should read it! I love it!
I have a really old etiquette book that I have used so often. It is way over the top, but I still find it a treat. I will look into this one for my daughter. Thanks.
I love learning about etiquette and trying to improve a little at a time.
The dog manners...oh my... not in this neighborhood. EVERYONE carries a little bag, and some carry scoops, to clean up after their doggies while out on a walk. Heaven forbid the person who does not clean up. The entire neighborhood would be on their front porch with a fine.
They are a little over board about policing each other here!
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