The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-03-31
Hints on Etiquette.

To act naturally is the first law of Ell
quette. The next is to make others fee
at ease in your presence. POliteness can
not we'll be acquired after maturity. Il
consists in desire to please, and although
many have had tho rough edges knocked
off by contact with refined society and {
studied rehearsal every day, the great ma
ljority of those who attempt an outward
show Of good breeding succeed only in ma
king themselves ridiculous. Politcness
springs from the heart, and like good net
| ing on the stage, must be felt to make it.
self felt. There ore, however, few little
things that can be practiced without study
and their observance will add very much
to your department.
You should avoid the use of words OF
the discussion of subjects at oil remote, in
the presence of those who may he your in.
feriors in education or intellect.
lie careful not to use the perpendicular
personal Il" too much it betrays ego.
tism.
Never correct any one 10 public for the
misaPplication or wrong pronunciation ola
Do not be bOisterous or loud in your
language hollow vessel makes the great
est noise.
1t is Very impolite to show disposition
to monOpolize the conversation, particu-
larry when there arc older and moro expe-
rienced persons present. A modest yield
ing without any show of Impotence, will
elevate you in the estimation of all pres
ent.
An observance of politeness and courte-
cyD ut ~~cvv
when abroad.
To say at the table "pass me" or "pass
the" &c., savors Of the boarding house, and
is gross in the extreme. You should say,
may l trouble you for the butter, or, be
kind enough to hand me the butter.
1t is not proper to use your knife to
convey food to your mouth, neither is it
necessary that you should transfer your
fork to the right hand if you can use it with
ease in your left great many carry this
to an extreme that is disgusting.
DO not pour your tea or coffee into your
saucer. It should be drank from the cup,
and without noise, such az blowing or
sucking.
If you are not provided with o napkin,
it is more proper to use the hem of the |
table cloth to wipe your mouth than
pocket handkerchief.
The custom of making two or three
often effectual-attempts o get off the |
glove to shake hands, is one of the most
absurd of the age, and its counterpart is
that of apologizing, thus, 'excuse my
glove" Anything that is embarrassing to
either party is impolite, as ease is the
great desideratum. You might with the
same propriety apologize to q man for
kicking him with your boot on, or keep
him waiting in perplexity until you get it
off. Each are actions of impulse, on Ell
her extreme.
Never part company on the street. In
meeting others slacken your pace and drop
n behind, and if both should make the
same movement at the same time, do not
stop to bubble about who shall 60 first,
'tep quickly in advance or behind as the
situation may require.
1t is not proper for q lady to bow across
he street in cities unless to very intimate
In country towns it is al
owable.
In conversation never anticipate your
language or thoughts by sup
dying him with word. A good listener
3 more highly esteemed by great MAORI
y IMAM good orator.
On going into a church, thcater or din ,
Ter. precede your lady, and on coming out
ct her precede you. II
AS to which side you should take on
Meeting ladies on the street, you should
,e governed by convenience on the part Of {
he lady. If she should be walking on the
outside of the pavement it would certainly {
'e an Inconvenience to her to cross over, {
nd rice cersa; so the rule should BIZ to {
ASS to the side that will least incOmmode |
er, while she should keep her course un- I
disturbed Leisure Hours: 1t