Quotes About Etiquette

Claude Monet's Painting

Punctuality is one of the characteristics of politeness. ~ Martine's Handbook of Etiquette (1865)

A well-bred person always receives visitors... but if you are occupied and cannot afford to be interrupted you should instruct the servant beforehand to say you are 'not at home'. ~ The Habits of Good Society (1859)

A 'bore' is a person who does not know when you have had enough of his or her company. ~The Habits of Good Society (1859)

The introduction is of an inferior (which position a gentleman always holds to a lady) to the superior. ~The Habits of Good Society (1859)

Money is never talked of in polite society; it is taken for granted. ~ The book of Good Manners, Mrs Burton Kingsland (1901)

The etiquette of hand-shaking is simple. A man has no right to take a lady's hand till it is offered. ~ The Habits of Good Society (1859)

The gentleman who shakes hands with great warmth and empressement are two distinct individuals; the one is cordial and large-hearted -- the other wishes to ingratiate himself. ~ Manners and Rules of Good Society (1912)

A lady should conquer a habit of breathing hard, or coming in very hot, or even looking very blue and shivery. ~ The Habits of Good Society (1859)

A man, ... whether he aspires to be a gentleman or not, should learn to box. There are but few rules... , strike out, strike straight, strike sudden. Two gentlemen never fight; the art of boxing is brought into use in punishing a stronger and more impudent fellow of a class beneath your own. ~ The Habits of Good Society (1859)

All immoral or indecent acts of conduct, improper liberties or familiarities with the female passengers, blasphemous, obscene, or indecent language, ro language tending to a breach of the peace, swearing, gambling, drunkenness, fighting, disorderly, riotuous, quarrelsome, or insubordinate conduct and also all deposits of filth or offensive acts of uncleanliness in the between decks, are strictly prohibited. ~ From the Order in Council, for promoting order and health in passenger Ships to any of Her Majesty's possessions abroad (1864)

Women should dress quietly and inconspicuously when travelling. Anything startling should be avoided. ~ The Book of Etiquette Lady Troubridge (1926)

Divorced Ladies lose all titles. They assume their maiden name, and Mrs prefixed. ~ Beeton's Complete Letter-Writer for Gentlemen (1860)

It is very important that a mother should train her boys properly, from their earliest years. She must teach them that it is right for them to wait upon Ladies. There is no surer sign of a 'middle class' point of view than when men say that anything will do for women. In the upper classes, the men may be bad in many outward ways, but they pay every mark of respect to the women of their family. ~ Etiquette-Up-To-Date Lucie Heaton Armstrong (1924)