Don’t think it effeminate or affected to be polite and considerate of others. Every person likes heartiness in a boy, but it is possible for a boy to be open, and hearty, and manly, and have good manners also. In fact, some of the most agreeable boys I have ever met had very good manners indeed, but they were just as manly, just as full of fun, just as fond of sport, just as genuine boys as many of their companions who were not nearly as well bred. A boy is not any more a manly boy because he crams his mouth full when he is eating, nor is he likely to play a better hand at baseball because he sits at dinner with his elbows on the table.
- Don’t forget in the morning to salute all the members of the family with good-morning, and at night, say good-night. When you enter the schoolroom say good-morning to the teacher and good-afternoon, when you leave. Good-night and good-morning are very pleasant things to hear and young people should never omit them.
- Don’t be ashamed of your old father & mother.
- Don’t be stingy, but don’t be careless either. In regard to money – if you cannot pay on the day you promised, go and speak to the man you owe about it. Be sure that you pay your wash bills. One of the cheapest and smallest and meanest things I know of is for one to run away from his wash bills. A poor washerwoman!
- Don’t slide on banisters.
- Don’t walk in the trough [the Main gutters].
- Don’t throw water or anything out of windows.
- Don’t shout every time you want to speak whether indoors or out. Some boys fairly shout at playfellows who are only a few feet off, and who could hear without difficulty everything spoken in an ordinary voice.
- Don’t fail in the schoolroom to be respectful to the master, kind to the small boys, and diligent in your studies. Don’t worry your school-fellows with tricks. Do not brag about not studying. A bragger and a fool will freeze.
Ole Voices No. 2: Etiquette 101
Chapters:
Foreword
St. Olaf College: A Selected Chronology
Section I: Etiquette 101
Introduction
In General
In the Drawing Room
In Public
Dress and Personal Habits
Table Manners
Rules for Boys
Rules for Girls
Section II: Transgressions
Keeping the Rules
Transgressions