The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-04-29
THE ART OF CONVER8ATION.
a Valuable List OF ss no Nots."
Do not manifest impatience.
Do NOT engage in argument.

speaking,
Do not find fault, though you ma
gently criticise.
Do not talk of your private, pers On
al and family matters.
Do not appear to notice inaccura
cies of speech in others.
Do not allow yourself to lose tenn
per or speak sxcitedly.
Do not allude to the unfortunat
peculiarities of any one present.
Do not always commence conver
sation by allusion to the weather.
Do not, when narrating an incident
continually say you see,' you know,
etc.
Do not intrude professional or 9th
er topics that the company general,
cannot take an interest IN.
Do not talk loud. A firm, clear
distinct, yet mild, gentle, musica
voice has great power. ..itq -ss- %
Do not be absent minded, requiring
the speaker to repeat what has been
said that you may understand.
Do not speak disrespectfully of per.
sonal appearance when any one pre-
sent may have some defects.
Do not try to force yourself into
the confidence of others. II 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 any one.
Do not intersperse yeur language
with foreign words and high-sound-
ing terms. 1t shows affectation, and
will draw ridicule upon you.
Do not carry a conversation with
another in company about matters
which the general company knows
nothing of. It is almost as impolite
as to whisper.
Do not allow yourself to speak ill OF
the absent one if it can be avoided ;
the day may come when some friend
will be needed to defend you in your
Do net speak with contempt and
ridicule of the locality where you may
be visiting. Find something to truth
fully praise and commend; thus make
yourself agreeable.
Do not make q pretense of gentility,
nor parade the fact that you are the de-
scendent of any notable family. You
most pass for just what you are, and
must stand on your own merit.
DO not contradict. In making q
correction say, Il beg your pardon, but
1 had an impression that it was so and
So: Be careful in contradicting, as
you may be wrong yourself.
Do not be unduly familiar; you
viii merit contemptif you are. Meth.
er should you be dogmatic in your as
arrogating to yourself much
in your opinions.
De not be lavish in your praise of
various members of your own family
when speaking to strangers the per-
son 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 converse
ton. Shoold the person with whom
you are conversing feel the same, your
talk will lead into violent argument.
Do not allow yourself to use per.
sonal abuse when speaking to another
as in go doing you may make that per-
son llfe-long enemy. A few kind,
courteous words might have made
him q lifelong friend.
Do not discuss politics or religion
in general company. You probably
will not convert your opponent, and
he will not convert you. To discuss
those topics is to arouse feeling with
out any good result.
Do not make parade of being &C.
quainted with distinguished or veal
thy people, of having been to college,
or of having visited foreign lands. All
this is no evidence of real genuine
worth on your own part. ~
= =
Do not use the surname alone when
speaking of your wife OF husband to
others. To say to another that Il
told JONES' referring to your husband,
sounds badly. Whereas to say 4 told
Mr.. JONES' shows more respect and
good ,breading.
Do not yield to bashfulness. Do not
isolate yourself, sitting back in cor
ner, waiting for some one to come and
talk with you. Step forward, and
have something to say. Though you
may not very well, keep on. You
will gain courage and improve. 1t is
as much your duty to entertain others
as theirs to amuse you.
Do not attempt to pry into the pri-
vate affairs of others by asking what
their profits are, what things cost,
whether Melissa ever had beau, and
why Amarette never got married ?
All such questions are exceedingly
and are likely to meet
with rebuke.
Do not whisper in company; do not
engage in private conversation; do
not speak foreign language which
the general company present may not
understand, unless it is understood
that the foreigner is unable to speak
your own language.
Do not take it upon yourself 10 ad-
monish comparative str angers on re-
ligious topics; the person to whom
you speak may have decided convic-
tions of his own In opposition to yours,
and your overzeal may seem to them
ON inpertinence.
Do not aspire to be a great story
teller; an inveterate teller of long
stories becomes very tiresome. To
tell one or two short, new, witty,
stories, appropriate to the occasion, is