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fandomhigh2009-05-28 04:54 am
clevermsbennet.livejournal.com) wrote in fandomhigh2009-05-28 04:54 am
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Practical Etiquette, Period 3, Class #3 - Thursday, May 28th
"There is a list," Miss Bennet said, "of the Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation. It is purportedly a schoolroom exercise by one George Washington. Given that Mr. Washington is an historical figure far better known for political matters, one assumes the attribution is apocryphal. Nevertheless, it's an interesting list, regardless how dubious its source, and one I felt it worth our while to look over."
She passed out copies of the list, adding, "Do please excuse the spelling; it is either authentic to the time, or an attempt to mimic such.
"The first rule seems elegant enough; Every Action done in Company, ought to be with Some Sign of Respect, to those that are Present. From there, second, we have When in Company, put not your Hands to any Part of the Body, not usualy Discovered. Third? Shew Nothing to your Friend that may affright him. Three rules in, and we've said so far that we should respect our company, not startle them unduly, and try not to indulge any itches in unmentionable locations. There, the list seems quite reasonable, thus far.
Miss Bennet leaned back agains her desk. "Four: In the Presence of Others Sing not to yourself with a humming Noise, nor Drum with your Fingers or Feet. Fifth: If You Cough, Sneeze, Sigh, or Yawn, do it not Loud but Privately; and Speak not in your Yawning, but put Your handkercheif or Hand before your face and turn aside. And sixth: Sleep not when others Speak, Sit not when others stand, Speak not when you Should hold your Peace, walk not on when others Stop. And here we notice that this list seems a touch uneven. I would hardly count drumming one's fingers as severe an imposition as falling asleep while another is speaking to you.
"This list seems to comprise a few different concepts. For one, there are the rules that simply state that it is good manners to treat others with dignity and respect -- as in rule eight, which asks that newcomers be welcomed into an activity. Another group seems to be more situational; in some societies, it may not be considered rude to scratch one's itches, or to, as rule seven notes, 'leave one's chamber half-dressed.' And of the situational notes, some of them seem particularly pendantic; rule nine considers it rude to warm one's hands before a fire, and ten asks that one never cross one's ankles.
"We hardly have time to cover this full list in class -- nor am I suggesting that all of these rules fit what any of you should know for etiquette, especially as we have taken a more practical approach this term. But there are rules here that are helpful, amidst the highly specific, situational ones. And that is where all of you come in."
"For today's lesson, I am breaking you up into pairs. Each pair will be assigned a section of 10 of these rules. Read over all ten, together, and find one that you feel is a good, practical rule that we should discuss in class -- and one that you feel is either nonsensical, or of far lesser importance. And then, we will discuss our findings."
Miss Bennet smiled at her students. "And if you find you cannot make the least sense of what the rule is stating, you may, of course, ask. Our mysterious author, Mr. Washington or not, has an odd way with words. Regardless: let us begin."
She passed out copies of the list, adding, "Do please excuse the spelling; it is either authentic to the time, or an attempt to mimic such.
"The first rule seems elegant enough; Every Action done in Company, ought to be with Some Sign of Respect, to those that are Present. From there, second, we have When in Company, put not your Hands to any Part of the Body, not usualy Discovered. Third? Shew Nothing to your Friend that may affright him. Three rules in, and we've said so far that we should respect our company, not startle them unduly, and try not to indulge any itches in unmentionable locations. There, the list seems quite reasonable, thus far.
Miss Bennet leaned back agains her desk. "Four: In the Presence of Others Sing not to yourself with a humming Noise, nor Drum with your Fingers or Feet. Fifth: If You Cough, Sneeze, Sigh, or Yawn, do it not Loud but Privately; and Speak not in your Yawning, but put Your handkercheif or Hand before your face and turn aside. And sixth: Sleep not when others Speak, Sit not when others stand, Speak not when you Should hold your Peace, walk not on when others Stop. And here we notice that this list seems a touch uneven. I would hardly count drumming one's fingers as severe an imposition as falling asleep while another is speaking to you.
"This list seems to comprise a few different concepts. For one, there are the rules that simply state that it is good manners to treat others with dignity and respect -- as in rule eight, which asks that newcomers be welcomed into an activity. Another group seems to be more situational; in some societies, it may not be considered rude to scratch one's itches, or to, as rule seven notes, 'leave one's chamber half-dressed.' And of the situational notes, some of them seem particularly pendantic; rule nine considers it rude to warm one's hands before a fire, and ten asks that one never cross one's ankles.
"We hardly have time to cover this full list in class -- nor am I suggesting that all of these rules fit what any of you should know for etiquette, especially as we have taken a more practical approach this term. But there are rules here that are helpful, amidst the highly specific, situational ones. And that is where all of you come in."
"For today's lesson, I am breaking you up into pairs. Each pair will be assigned a section of 10 of these rules. Read over all ten, together, and find one that you feel is a good, practical rule that we should discuss in class -- and one that you feel is either nonsensical, or of far lesser importance. And then, we will discuss our findings."
Miss Bennet smiled at her students. "And if you find you cannot make the least sense of what the rule is stating, you may, of course, ask. Our mysterious author, Mr. Washington or not, has an odd way with words. Regardless: let us begin."
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