Perfect Behavior: A Guide for Ladies and Gentlemen in All Social Crises

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Stewart, Donald Ogden, 1894-1980

Contributor:

Barton, Ralph, 1891-1931

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"Perfect Behavior: A Guide for Ladies and Gentlemen in All Social Crises" by Donald Ogden Stewart is a satirical guidebook on etiquette that likely dates back to the early 20th century. This work parodies the norms of polite society, offering humorous insights into the social interactions and customs of courtship, engagements, weddings, and everyday behavior. With a focus on the absurdities and intricacies of social expectations, it addresses the importance of manners and the often comical consequences of social faux pas. The opening of the book delves into the etiquette of courtship, presenting a playful perspective on a young gentleman named Richard Roe as he navigates the complex rules of social interactions when pursuing a refined young lady, Dorothy Doe. Stewart's writing captures the whimsical nature of dating rituals, from correct introductions to the significance of flowers and their meanings in a budding romance. Through a series of exaggerated and humorous examples, the narrative sets the tone for a lighthearted exploration of social customs, suggesting that navigating these behaviors can often border on the ridiculous. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Contents:

The etiquette of courtship

The etiquette of engagements and weddings

The etiquette of travel

At the concert and the opera

Etiquette for dry agents

A chapter for schoolgirls

The etiquette of games and sports

Correspondence and invitations

The etiquette of dinners and balls.

Credits:

Produced by Charles Keller, and David Widger

Notes:

Reading ease score: 66.6 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.

Release date is 1998-09-01