Etiquette

A Slate review of Laura Claridge’s “Emily Post” has reminded me of a few childhood memories. When we were young, Mom gave my sister and me a copy of “Tiffany’s Table Manners for Teen-Agers.” It had fun illustrations and we learned proper placement of multiple forks and knives and spoons at table.

Oh, you can’t forget napkin folding. I could never fold a silk scarf to wear but know how to iron and fold a proper napkin, though I think this book assumed one had a servant to do that.

Emily Post’s book on etiquette was probably delivered to me on my 12th birthday. There was a lot of stuff about boys in there and not being out past a certain hour. Since I wasn’t allowed to date for several more years that was not useful information. Once I was allowed to date, no-one came calling!

But I did learn the difference between a business and personal letter, and how to address important people. I wish I had the book now, as it only wanted me to be a wife or a secretary/spinster.

Of course if I couldn’t make the perfect match at age 18, why learn to cook as it’ll only be you and you’ll be living with your parents for the rest of their lives. Hopefully those rules were relaxed.

Our parents had us attend ballet and piano (and for me, violin) and religion lessons to round out our education. We were raised with good manners if not to Mrs. Post’s standards. I thank our parents for making sure we got a good education in many ways, including working every weekend, hard work, to make our house a home.

Check out Ms. Claridge’s book. I plan on doing so. Wonder what she would have thought about the internet and blogging…. Dee