The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1879-09-11
ETIQUETTE OF CONvERsAruoN

.Abs
Do not find fault, though you may
gently criticise.
Do not talk Of private, personal and
family matters.
Do not appear to notice inaccuracies
Of speech in others.
Do not allow yourself to lose your
temper or speak excitedly.
Do not allude to unfortunate peculi-
arities Of any one present.
DO not always commence q converse
ton by allusion to the weather.
Do not, when narrating An incident,
continually say, "you see, you know,
etc
Do not intrude professional or other
topics that the company generally take
no interest in.
Do not talk very loud. A Arm.
clear. distinct. yet mild. gentle, musical
voice has great power.
Do not be absent.minded, requiring
the speaker to repeat what has been
said that Won may understand.
Do not speak dlsrespectfully Of per
sonal appearance when anyone present
may have the same defects.
Do not try to force yourself into the
confidence Of others. If they give
their confidence never betray it.
DO not use profanity, vulgar terms,
slang phrases, words Of double mean
ing, or language that will bring the
blush to anyone.
DO not intersperse your language
with foreign words and high sounding
terms. II shows a!!ectation and will
draw ridicule upon you.
DO not carry on q conversation with
another in company about matters
which the general company know no
thing Of 1t is almost as impolite as
to whisper.
DO not allow yourself to speak i'll OF
the absent one il it can be avoided; the
day may come when a friend may be
needed to defend you in your absence.
DO not speak with contempt and rid.
iculc OF locality where you may be
visiting. Find something % truthfully
praise and commend; thus make your
self agreeable.
Do not make pretense of gentility,
nor parade the fact that you are de-
sccndant of any notable family. You
must pass for just what you are, and
must stand on your own merit.
Do not contradict. In making a cor
rection, say, 81 beg your pardon. but
had M impression that it was so..and
So" BE careful in contradicting, as you
may DO wrong yourself.
DO not be unduly familiar; you will
merit contempt if you are. Neither
should you be dogmatic in your asser-
tions, arrogating to yourself much con-
sequence in your own opinions.
Do not be too lavish in your praise OF
various members of your own family
when speaking to strangers; the person
to whom you are speaking may know
some faults that you do not.
DO not feel it incumbent upon your
self to carry your point in conversa-
ton. Should the person with whom
you are conversing feel tho same, your
talk will lead into violent argument
DO not allow yourself to use personal
abuse when speaking to another. AS in
so doing you may make that person a
lifelong enemy. A few kind, courteous
words might have made him life long
friend
DO not discuss politics or religion in
general company. You probably would
not convert your opponent. and no will
not convert you To discuss those top
les is to arouse feeling without any good
result.
DO not make q parade Of being &C
quainted with distinguished or wealthy
people, of having been to college. or Of
having visited foreign lands. All this
is no evidence Of real genuine worth on
your part.
DO not use the surname alone when
speaking of your husband or wife to
others To say to another that II told
JONES'" referring to your husband
sounds badly. Whereas. to say, al
told Mr.. Jones. shows respect and good
breeding.
DO not yield to bsshfulness. Do not
isolate yourself. sitting back in . cor.
ncr. waiting for some one to talk with
you. Step out; have something to say.
Though you may not say it very we'll.
keep on. You will gain courage and
improve. 1t is IS much your duty to
entertain others as theirs to amuse you
DO not attempt to pry into tho pr
vate affairs of others by asking what
their profits are, what things cost,
whether Melissa ever had . beau. or
why Annette never got married. All
such questions are extremely imperti-
nent, and are likely to meet with re-
buke.
DO not whisper in company; do not
engage in private conversation; do not
speak in foreign language which the
general company present may no. un-
derstaud. unless it is understood that
the foreigner is unable to speak your
own language.
Do not take it upon yourself 70 ad-
monish comparative strangers on relig-
ious topics; the person TO whom you
speak. may have decided convictions of
their own in opposition to yours. and
your over-zeal may seem 10 them On
impertinence.
Do not aspire to be q great s,ory.tel-
Ter; an inveterate teller Of long stories
becomes very tiresome To tell one or
two witty, short. new stories. appropri-
ate to the occasion. is abou, all thst one
person should inilict on the company.
Do no. indulge in satire; no doubt
you are witty, and you could say mos.
cutting thing that would bring the
laugh Of the company down upon your
opponent, bu. you must not allow il,
unless to rebuke some imper,inent fell