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

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]

[anarchist-queen.livejournal.com]

"You've seriously ridden a Unicorn?"

Re: Introductions [ET-1]

[clevermsbennet.livejournal.com]

"Welcome to class," Miss Bennet said with a gentle smile. "This world is quite new to me, as well, though I'm from a different time and place entirely than yourself." The word 'unicorns' said as much. "I am hoping that this class will help students adjust to new environments, as it seems something we come up against quite frequently on this island."

"I teach literature during the school year. What novels do you like to read?"

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]

[clevermsbennet.livejournal.com]

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Edmund," Miss Bennet said. "Are you from a quite proper society? I must confess, I have many of the same concerns in regards to becoming 'rusty.' I live in fear that I shall return home to a society tea and forget myself."

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]

[clevermsbennet.livejournal.com]

"Welcome, Leto," Miss Bennet said, bowing her head slightly to him. "I'm not familiar with the desert, personally, as I have spent most of my life in the countryside. But I, too, enjoy studying cultures, particularly the rules of etiquette from each."

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]

[clevermsbennet.livejournal.com]

"I cannot fault you for such an honest answer," Miss Bennet said, eyes dancing with amusement. "Do you mean to say that you chose it, but are unsure why, or that the school itself assigned you to this class without your knowledge? Either have happened."

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]

[clevermsbennet.livejournal.com]

"Welcome, Joan," Miss Bennet said lightly. "Mothers are usually quite adamant upon such things, though I confess, in my case, I should very much like to assign my mother to etiquette classes, and not the other way round."

Mrs. Bennet had a vulgar, silly streak. It was the embarrassment of her more sensible daughters.

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]

[clevermsbennet.livejournal.com]

"Welcome back, Worf," Miss Bennet smiled. "I had hoped you would say that you were so very charmed by literature class that you could not resist finding yourself in my presence again."

It was not nice to tease her students, but she could not help herself.

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]

[clevermsbennet.livejournal.com]

"Welcome, Katina," Miss Bennet smiled, unable to resist a light tease. "It is quite unfortunate for my sense of self-worth that all of my prior students seem to have returned only by accident."

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]

[anarchist-queen.livejournal.com]

Leda snickered. "Good reason." she approved.

Re: Introductions [ET-1]

[clevermsbennet.livejournal.com]

It was quite fortunate that he had not shouted "HELLO, NURSE" at her, though she was a touch too stunned to realize it. One of her students was ... appeared to be ...

Exact classification of the gentleman in question could wait. Miss Bennet was going to smile, politely, and attempt to cover.

"I confess, I'm fond of wordplay myself," she managed. "I believe it's the 'q' that makes 'etiquette' so pleasant."

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.

Re: Introductions [ET-1]

[clevermsbennet.livejournal.com]

"Is that person correct?" Miss Bennet asked playfully. The girl gave every impression of not wishing to be there, which pointed towards 'yes.'

Re: Introductions [ET-1]

[justwantsquiet.livejournal.com]

"My name is Sookie Stackhouse," she said, trying to keep her vowels from sliding together, even if she couldn't help the lilt of her accent. "I enjoy baking, reading, and spending time with my family. My grandmother raised me to be a lady, and I really figured that a class like this could only reinforce that."

Re: Introductions [ET-1]

[anarchist-queen.livejournal.com]

Unable to resist, Leda stood and gave her full translated name. "I'm The Scent of Heather One Dewey Dawn in April of the House Where Two Queens Fell." she said. "I like to dance, listen to music, hang out, and I'm in this class because my parents signed me up for it."

Re: Introductions [ET-1]

[finding-x-dream.livejournal.com]

"Agnes Nitt, witch," Agnes introduced herself. "I like... singing, and reading, and learning new things. I'm here because not very many witches are polite, where I come from, and I feel I ought to be."

AND because she'd liked her last class with Miss Bennet, but that sounded far too soppy.

Re: Introductions [ET-1]

[i_vanquish_evil]

Van Helsing figures he will never grow accustomed to standing in front of groups of people and introducing himself.

"Michael, or Van Helsing, only please. I'm interested in never doing this again and am enrolled in this course by a choice that was not my own. Feel free to inquire further. Though I do reserve the right to glare and ignore you." Okay, maybe he's pushing it a little, but this wasn't the class he would've chosen for himself and he didn't sleep well last night.