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fandomhigh2009-05-14 01:05 am
clevermsbennet.livejournal.com) wrote in fandomhigh2009-05-14 01:05 am
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Practical Etiquette, Period 3, Class #1 - Thursday, May 14th
"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?"
"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?"
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[bedtime!]
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She shrugged. "The ultimate effect is the same."
[Sleep well!]
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