Spiral Skies

Manners Maketh Man November 12, 2006

Posted by Jen in : Journal, Novel , trackback

One of the greatest victories you can gain over someone is to beat him at politeness.
Josh Billings
US Humorist (1818 - 1885)

Now don’t get me wrong. I’m all in favour of manners. I currently have a couple of books on the go about modern etiquette - as research of course! Not for pleasure, no no no. The more I read, though, the more I realise that the whole idea of how we behave comes very much down to class. It’s all such a ridiculously snobby business. How completely and utterly excellent!!

I know, it’s not a kind way to carry on. But come on, admit it: at some time or another, who hasn’t shared with another that feeling of smug superiority, the arching of eyebrows between Those Who Know Better?? The opportunities for this abound when one considers the tacky world one lives in. Being supercilious means one can use excessively long words too. Not only is one More Cultured, one is Damn Clever too. All so gelogenic, what? Ra ra ra.

I remember someone influential once philosophising about bitchiness and how he relished it as the thing that made him laugh most. Boy George probably. In Smash Hits I should think. You get your philosophy where you can when you’re a teenager.

Tip of the Day (and I quote!): “There’s no point looking ladylike if you sit like a trucker with swollen balls.”

The Modern Girl’s Guide to Etiquette is highly recommended. Wish I’d written it…

Toodle pip.