"Etiquette for Men" Chapter I

Gordon

"Etiquette is designed simply to assist in the smooth-running of our everyday affairs, friendships, and social functions. For this reason a good knowledge of its rules materially assists any man who desires social happiness and success."

As stated in the other thread on etiquette. I was given a book that was written in 1929 entitled "Etiquette for Men - A book of Modern Manners and Customs". I like to read it every so often for a laugh or some good advice. A lot of content in this book seems out-dated but try to see the core values of what the author G.R.M. Devereux is getting at! The book is also great at giving us a peek into what life was like in the 1920's and '30s.

Chapter I - Everyday Etiquette. Meeting a Lady

You should try to avoid offering a lady your gloved hand. When therefore you see a lady approaching with whom you will wish to shake hands, remove your right-hand glove in readiness. But if you have no time to remove the glove, do not keep the lady waiting while you do so. shake hands immediately, offering a word of apology for your glove.
When you meet a lady whom you know, and you wish to speak to her, do not keep her standing still. You should walk with her in the direction in which she is going.
You should not offer a lady your arm when walking with her, unless you are escorting her across a busy street.
You should always take the outside of the pavement when walking with a lady. You should also take the outside when walking with two ladies - you should not walk between them.
A smoker should always remove his pipe or cigarette when speaking to a lady, and if walking with a lady he should not smoke without first asking her permission.
When walkiing with three or more friends, do not walk abreast it by so doing you force other people to walk in the gutter. Walking-sticks and umbrellas should always be carried in such a way as not to inconvenience other pedestrians.
On a wet day you may offer to share your umbrella with a lady who is without one. Some ladies are averse from accepting this courtesy from a man whom they do not know, however; so you should not feel unduly rebuffed if the offer is refused.
If information is requested by a stranger - regarding, for example, the whereabouts of a certain road - show a readiness and real desire to be of assistance. And do not be sparing with a word of apology if you inadvertantly cause discomfort to other persons by jostling them or touching them with anything you may be carrying.

chernobyl

Originally posted by Gordon
" Walking-sticks and umbrellas should always be carried in such a way as not to inconvenience other pedestrians.

Could someone please put this on a bill-board in all areas of Dublin.
Lord only knows how many times i have had sharp encounters with umbrellas....

Chaos-Engine

Where can I get a copy? As I am thinking of forming a gentlemens club. It would be a plus if I was able to secure a copy.

Gaz

The book is also great at giving us a peek into what life was like in the 1920's and '30s

i seriously doubt that is what life back then was like, maybe for the very well off but the vast majority of Irish people where working class or lower. Good book to keep though ..might be worth a quid or 2 in a few years

Khynareth

Originally posted by Chaos-Engine
Where can I get a copy? As I am thinking of forming a gentlemens club. It would be a plus if I was able to secure a copy.

I want a copy to, do you have the ISBN?

(Yes I'm serious)

smiles

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product_listing.gsp?path=0%3A3920%3A18833%3A21560&dept=3920&cat=21560&sb=61&bti=5&sdir=xx&sortBySelectedIndex=0

They should have something to suit you...

<< Fio >>

Gordon

Does ISBN exist for 1929? I'll have a look though (alternatively I'll write it all out for you )

There is actually a great section for the Gentleman's club thing, I was thinking about writing it in the Admin section or Newbie FAQ section, it's a hoot! I'll do more later

Johnny Alpha

Darth Homer wrote:

i seriously doubt that is what life back then was like, maybe for the very well off but the vast majority of Irish people where working class or lower. Good book to keep though ..might be worth a quid or 2 in a few years

Funnily enough I found this exact book amongst my dads things when we finally cleared the house out 20 years after he died. (He arrived in London in 1934). He had inscribed his name in the fly leaf and obviously bought it in an attempt to hide what he felt was an ignorant third world upbringing which might hold him back in life (at that time, even work in England was scarce).

For years afterwards he wore a hat and yes, he used to raise it to ladies in the street.

Faith

I got an email with an extract from a book writted for women in the 50's about sexual etiquette. I think I've deleted it now, but it was all things like "You're only there for your husbands pleasure. It is your duty to make sure he is enjoying himself. Should you reach orgasm, a small sigh will be sufficient to express your happiness...". It was ridiculous!

KTRIC

It is really a shame that people do not adhear to this etiquette these days, as the old saying goes "manners make the man".

Ireland , especially Dublin is getting ruder by the year.

AngryBadger

wow....is it bad that I actually do these things? and I've never even BEEN to the 1920s

D-Generate

Yeah I do that walking on the outside of the footpath thing. I was told to do it when i was younger!

Nevyn

Good manners and civility cost nothing and make the world a more pleasant place to be in.

skye

D-Generate wrote:

Yeah I do that walking on the outside of the footpath thing. I was told to do it when i was younger!

An ex-boyfriend told me that this was done to denote that the females were "ladies" - if you walked on the inside of them it pointed to the fact that they were "ladies of the night" and that the gentleman was their pimp!!:D

Don't know if there is any truth in this but it's a good one!!

Gordon

Well, seeing as this has been revived somewhat I'll add a bit from chapter IV. And this sits nicely with the thread entitled "Hitting on girls in da club"

Attending a dance

Probably you will take your own partner to a public dance, and there is no reason why you should not dance with her exclusively if it is your mutual wish.

You should not dance with another lady unless your companion has a partner; you must not leave her to be a "wallflower" while you are dancing.

It is not usual for the M.C. or stewards to make introductions at a public dance, and therefore you are at liberty to approach any lady present to ask for a dance. If she has a male companion, you should speak to him first with a remark such as , " Do you mind if I ask your friend to dance with me?"

You should invite the lady with whom you have the interval dance to take refreshments with you. If you have a companion you should be sure to save the interval dance for her. If alone, you should not ask this dance of any lady accompanied by a male friend. It is his prerogative*.


*I think that includes "grinding"...

Zillah

Beautifully elegant. I so want a copy.

joejoem

A nice read

Faith

I wish chivallry (sp?) wasn't dead! I always figued people walked on the outside of the footpath because they were more expendible than me!

Imposter

I fail to see how this is a personal issue. Thread starter banned.














Sh1t. Wrong account.

LovelyHurling

Imposter wrote:

I fail to see how this is a personal issue. Thread starter banned

Was that a joke?

Blackjack

LovelyHurling wrote:

Was that a joke?

hmmm

Imposter wrote:

I fail to see how this is a personal issue. Thread starter banned.

Sh1t. Wrong account.

Always read the Small print.

constitutionus

K-TRIC wrote:

It is really a shame that people do not adhear to this etiquette these days, as the old saying goes "manners make the man".

Ireland , especially Dublin is getting ruder by the year.

agreed, i go to the same cafe every morning to get some take away breakkie before i go to work. one of the girls was bringing a tray with about 5 meals on it outside and no one besides me bothered to help her open the door for her. THE QUE GOES RIGHT TO THE DOOR :eek: i mean for gods sake it common courtesy in that case:rolleyes:
and dont get me started on the bus's, someone could be actively giving birth on one of em and STILL no one will give up their seat. it always annoys me that a couple of teenagers will not move when they're ACTUALLY sitting in the seats reserved for elderly people, THERES A SIGN gob****e:mad:

i dont mind so much in shops though, customer service has gone down the toilet in the last decade but when you pay ****e thats what you get. NO ONE see's those jobs as a career. its just something your doing to put yourself through college or lead on to the job you really want

Victor

Faith wrote:

I wish chivallry (sp?) wasn't dead! I always figued people walked on the outside of the footpath because they were more expendible than me!

They can also intervene in the case of mud being spattered from the road in the direction of your dress.

air

We were told by an English teacher at school that it dated from the times that people emptied their chamber pots out their window onto the streets. If a couple happened to be passing the person on the outside was deemed more likely to be hit (I assume the assumption was that the emptier was aiming for the gutter).

magick

You should try to avoid offering a lady your gloved hand.

God Forbid i would do that!!! :eek:

I would take my lady on my new fancy horseless carraige, then go on a night of phesant shooting , afterwards enjoying her fine company with a brandy. Then prepare for some rumpy pumpy by lifting her skirt high above her venus mound while plunging my throbbing member into her entrails.