Practical Etiquette, Period 3, Class #1 - Thursday, May 14th

[clevermsbennet.livejournal.com]

"Good morning," Lizzy said, clasping her hands behind her back and telling herself quite firmly not to be nervous. "My name is Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and I'm to be your teacher on the subject of Practical Etiquette."

"To answer what is likely to be the first question, I'd like to give my definition of practical etiquette. Fear not; there will be no sudden quizzes on the proper form of address for a Bishop as compared to a Duke. Instead, we will be focusing on the larger points. Many of us are from greatly different backgrounds; however, much of civil society is universal. My hope is that, once you have completed this class, you will be sufficiently able to compose yourself in any situation presented to you. This includes situations for which one has no advance knowledge, such as when one finds one's self on an unknown island, in a completely unexpected world." As, perhaps, many of them had done just this week.

"This class will teach the generalities. What to attempt, what to avoid, what one should never, ever raise in polite conversation. How to detect subtle cues from one's environment. How to adapt one's self just enough not to raise any undue eyebrows.

"We will start this week with introductions and greetings. In many cultures, when you are introduced to someone, you should bow your head as a sign of respect. Even lowering it for a brief nod will suffice, in some circumstances, though one must always show more deference to royalty or heads of state. One should state one's name, and note that one is pleased to make the acquaintance, even if one is not. Societies in my time would ask that a lady offer her hand to a gentleman to receive a kiss on the knuckles, while gentleman between themselves would shake hands. Modern society has embraced the handshake, and so shall we. Your handshake should be firm, polite, and brief. Never give someone a limp, dead hand; nor should you crush the other person's fingers in your own. Hold the other person's eyes while shaking their hand, that they know they are fully occupying your attention.

"While shaking the person's hand, you might feel moved to compliment the person. A word of caution is required here. If one is introduced to the hostess, and compliments her lovely eyes, said hostess might presume one is expressing romantic interest. This may cause unwelcome entanglements, or give offense to her spouse if she has one. Keep compliments detached from the person you are meeting him or herself. Telling one she has a lovely necklace is far more acceptable than mentioning any part of her person; thanking her for the invitation, or expressing your delight at the decor of her home are also quite safe grounds.

"Now." She smiled at all of them. "I would like each of you to stand and introduce yourselves. Tell us your name, your interests, and why you have chosen this class. Once we have all done so, I would like for you to mingle with one another, shaking hands and expressing polite compliments to one another. Does that sound acceptable?

"If there are questions, or if you should like to assist me in teaching this course, please do see me after class. And the lovely Miss Watson is available to you, as well, as she has been assigned as a teaching aide for this course." Miss Bennet had not actually met Miss Watson, but she had received a letter to that effect, and chose to believe it. She would hope that Fandom was not simply amusing itself at her expense once more. Instead, she pointed towards one student with an easy smile. "Would you begin for us?"

Comments

Sign In [ET-1]

[clevermsbennet.livejournal.com]

In a thoroughly impolite manner.

Re: Sign In [ET-1]

[glacial_queen]

Karla di Glacia

During the Lecture [ET-1]

[clevermsbennet.livejournal.com]

Take notes, consider the subject. Please do note that Miss Bennet does not look kindly on extensive note-passing or socializing in this thread, so please do keep such things very brief, unless one is hoping for detention or some other punishment.

Re: During the Lecture [ET-1]

[glacial_queen]

Already this class had already proven useful. That might explain all the odd looks she'd been getting these past few days when she attempted to shake someone's hand.

Re: During the Lecture [ET-1]

[future_sandworm]

Leto listened, paying attention to Miss Bennet's words as well as body language and what was said between the lines to get an impression of her character. He was also unable not to notice that she was quite pretty.

Re: During the Lecture [ET-1]

[oops-mbad.livejournal.com]

There was no way Diana was taking notes during a summer class. She wasn't being disruptive though.

Re: During the Lecture [ET-1]

[joan-notjane.livejournal.com]

Okay, so far this all seemed like common sense to Joan, so she didn't feel the need to take notes.

Re: During the Lecture [ET-1]

[thismaskiwear.livejournal.com]

Katchoo, again, had not signed up for this class.

She slouched down in her chair (yeah, yeah, bad posture, not the most polite behavior, blah blah blah whatever) and tried to pretend she didn't already know this stuff.

Because she did know it; she just didn't care. And she was starting to be pretty sure the elk in the office had it in for her.

Re: During the Lecture [ET-1]

[yakkoyaks.livejournal.com]

Yakko actually took very detailed notes. He wanted to know exactly which rules of ettiquite he was breaking, and even caught a few ideas for how to break rules that he wasn't even aware of before.

Re: During the Lecture [ET-1]

[sorella-vecchia.livejournal.com]

Triela listened intently for the most part, even if she didn't take notes.

She was pretty sure she knew why Hilshire had signed her up for this class. And she was pretty sure she wasn't impressed with the implications of that.

Re: During the Lecture [ET-1]

[anarchist-queen.livejournal.com]

Leda hated her parents right now, as she slouched down in her seat.

Introductions [ET-1]

[clevermsbennet.livejournal.com]

Stand up, and calmly state your name, your interests, and your reasons for taking this class. Standard first-class fare. Unlike the earlier thread, if you wish to speak to your classmates here, after they have introduced themselves, you may feel free to do so. Shared interests are lovely conversational starters.

Re: Introductions [ET-1]

[glacial_queen]

Karla rose. "My name is Karla di Glacia. I come from the Territory of Glacia in the Realm of Kaeleer. Handshakes are very new to me, and I probably won't get them right for a while. In fact, this entire world is new to me, and the Protocol I know doesn't apply. Since at home, protocol is what keeps the Blood as a cohesive society, I figured I should put some effort into learning this world's version. As for my interests, I enjoy learning Craft, riding unicorns, theatricals, and reading novels."

And terrorizing people, usually males. But she didn't say that part out loud.

Re: Introductions [ET-1]

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

"Edmund Pevensie," Ed introduced himself in a much more succinct way than in the last period. "I enjoy riding - horses," he added quickly, "hiking, hunting. I've become quite fond of doughnuts since living here, if that can be considered an interest. I'm taking this class because etiquette is an important of my role at home, and it wouldn't do to get rusty."

Re: Introductions [ET-1]

[future_sandworm]

"I am Leto Atreides II," he said, rising from his chair. "As my homeworld is quite different from Earth and set far into the future, learning the etiquette suitable here will be appropriate, no doubt. Also, I take an interest in the study of different cultures and their place in history." He paused briefly. "As for other interests, some of them are unfortunately impossible to enjoy here. I enjoy spending time in the desert, riding the great sandworms and flying ornithopters. But good company, and a good fight are good too, and I sometimes play a stringed instrument called a baliset."

He left a few things out, of course, but that was only expected.

Re: Introductions [ET-1]

[oops-mbad.livejournal.com]

"I'm Diana Hansen and I - " Diana searched for a hobby that didn't involve people running screaming away from her. "I like to travel. I'm not sure why I'm in this class."

Re: Introductions [ET-1]

[joan-notjane.livejournal.com]

When it was her turn, Joan stood. "My name is Joan Girardi and I'm from Arcadia, Maryland. I am currently on the cheerleading squad here and I was a Student Council representative. I am taking this class because my mother chose my classes and thinks I need to learn how to interact with society better."

Re: Introductions [ET-1]

[sonofmogh.livejournal.com]

"I am Worf. Son of Mogh," he said standing up. "I am here because someone at this school seems to think I need to learn manners. I am a Klingon which is an alien race to this world."

Re: Introductions [ET-1]

[thismaskiwear.livejournal.com]

"Katina Choovanski," she said, deliberately making her voice as gravelly as possible today. "Smoking, drinking, painting. Pretty sure I'm in here by mistake, but what the hell."

Oh, yeah, this was off to a great start.

Re: Introductions [ET-1]

[yakkoyaks.livejournal.com]

"I'm a Warner Brother!" Yakko said, rather more enthusiastically than a calm introduction would probably allow. "Yakko Warner, in fact. My interests include candy, impressions, long walks on the beach, entertainment, wordplay, and pretty girls. I'm taking this class because 'Etiquette' is such a fun word to spell."

Re: Introductions [ET-1]

[sorella-vecchia.livejournal.com]

"I'm Triela. I enjoy shooting, it's a very calming activity." She sighed and shrugged. "I believe I was signed up for this class because someone thinks I need to learn how to be polite." That someone was very, very annoying sometimes.

Mingling [ET-1]

[clevermsbennet.livejournal.com]

Approach another student. Offer your hand and your name. Give him or her a polite compliment -- not anything rude or possibly outré. Engage in pleasant small talk, then move on to another student.

Unlike the Lecture thread, conversation is encouraged here, so please, have at it.

Re: Mingling [ET-1]

[future_sandworm]

Leto studied the people in the class, consiering who to approach.

Speak to Miss Bennet After Class [ET-1]

[clevermsbennet.livejournal.com]

For she is here, and would like very much to speak with you. (Especially Miss van der Woodsen, who is to be the other TA for this course.)

Speak to Your TA [ET-1]

[clevermsbennet.livejournal.com]

The lovely Miss Watson, whom Miss Bennet shall be introducing herself to after class. (In subsequent weeks, Miss van der Woodsen will be included in this subheading as well.)

Re: Speak to Your TA [ET-1]

[notahostage]

Wendy had received a message on her Middlewatch this morning informing her that the Middleman had put her name down for TA.

Given she'd just barely had time to grab a coffee before class, she was entertaining sleepy thoughts of revenge.

OOC [ET-1]

[clevermsbennet.livejournal.com]

Any questions, you can post them here, or if you'd rather, you can reach me via IM or e-mail. Miss Bennet has a playful sense of humor, but she believes strongly in discipline. If your character wishes to, say, stand and serenade her in mid-class, do know there will be consequences IC, sense of humor or no.

That's more for "deliberate insubordination" and not so much "failing at etiquette," however, as I expect a great deal of the latter. That's the fun, right?

Lastly, dead fish handshakes are the worst. I would rather have someone crush my knuckles than just have their hand lay there. It's vaguely creepy.

Re: OOC [ET-1]

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

stand and serenade her in mid-class

My first thought was "but Jamie's gone."

Random anecdote: of all of the things I learned in high school, the one thing I consider most important (which says a lot about school really) is that my headmaster taught me how to give a proper handshake. It's come in handy.