Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-02-20
Etiquette Of Conversation.
Do not manifest Impotence.
Do not anoape in argument.

| DO not engage IN argument.
DO not interrupt another when speak.
ing.
! Do not find fault, though you may
gently criticise.
Do not talk of your private. personal
and family matters.
Do not appear to notice Inaccuracies
of speech in others.
Do not allow yourself to lose temper
or speak excitedly.
Do not allude to unfortunate peculi-
arities of any one present.
Do not always commence 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 can.
not take an interest in.
Do not talk very loud. A firm, clear,
distinct. yet mild, gentle and musical
voice has great power.
Do not be absent-minded, req uiring
the speaker to repeat what has been said
that you may understand.
Do not speak unexpectedly 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 any one.
Do not intersperse your language with
foreign words and high-sounding terms.
It shows affectation, and will draw ridi-
Guile upon you.
Do not carry on conversation with
another in company about matters which
the general company knows nothing Of.
1t is almost as impolite as to whisper.
DO not allow yourself to speak i'll of
the absent one if it can be avoided !;
the day may come when some friend
will be needed to defend you in your
absence.
Do not speak with contempt or ridi.
Guile of locality where you may be
visiting. Find something to truthfully
praise and commend thus make your.
self agreeable.
Do not make pretense at gentility,
nor parade the fact that you are de-
scendant Of any notable family. You
must pass for just what you are, and
must stand on your own merit.
Do not contradict. In making cor
rection say, II beg your pardon, but
l had an impression that it was so and
So" Be careful in contradicting, az
you may be wrong yourself.
Do not be unduly familiar you will
merit contempt if you are. Neither
should you be dogmatic in your asser.
tons, arrogating to yourself much con-
quence in your opinions.
Do not be too lavish in your praise
of various members of your own family
when speaking to strangers the persons
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. Should the person with whom
you are conversing feel the same, your
talk will lead you into violent argu-
ment.
Do not allow yourself to use personal
abuse when speaking to another, rs in
lifelong enemy. A few kind, courteous
words might have made him a lifelong
friend.
DO not discuss politics or religion in
general company. You probably would
not convert your opponent, and he will
not convert you. To discuss those
topics is to arouse feeling without any
good result.
Do not make a 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 any 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 " told
JONES'" referring to your husband,
sounds badly. Whereas to say, i" 1 told
Mr.. JONES'" shows. respect and good
breeding.
Do not yield to bashfulness. Do not
isolate yourself, sitting back in corner,
waiting for some one to come and 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. It is as much your
duty to entertain others as theirs to
amuse you.
Do not try to pry into the private
affairs Of others by asking what their
profits are, what things cost, whether
Melissa ever had a beau, and why Am
arctic never got married? All such
questions are extremely impertinent,
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 un-
derstand, unless it is understood that
the foreigner is unable to speak your
own language.
Do not take it upon yourself to ad-
monish comparative strangers on re-
ligious topics the persons to whom you
speak may have decided convictions
of their own in opposition to yours, and
your overzeal may seem to them an i'm.
pertinence.
Do not aspire to be great story
teller /; an inveterate teller of Ions
stories becomes very tiresome. To tell
one or two witty. short, new stories.
appropriate to the occasion, is about all
that one person should infict on the
COMPANY.