Last updated on July 17, 2001

Instances of Ill Manners
to be carefully avoided by youth of both sexes
From The Gentleman & Lady's Companion, Norwich, 1798

• Omitting to pay proper respect to company, on entering or leaving a room; or paying it only to one person, when more are present.
• Entering a room with the hat on, and leaving it in the same manner.
• Setting still on the entrance of your instructor, strangers, or parents.
• Omitting the proper attention, when waited on by superiors.
• Passing between the fire and persons sitting at it.
• Whispering, or pointing in company, and staniding between the light and any person wanting it.
• Contradicting your parents or strangers who are any way engaged in conversations.
• Laughing loudly, when in company, and drumming with feet or hands.
• Swinging the arms, and all other aukward gestures, especially in the street, and in company.
• All actions that have the most remote tendency to indelicacy.
• Leaning on the shoulder, or chair of another person, and overlooking persons who are writing or reading.
• Throwing things instead of handing them, and crowding others in a passinge, or running against their elbows.
• Contempt in looks, words, or actions, for a partner in dancing, or other persons.
• All instances of that ill judged familiaritywhich breeds contempt.
• Lolling on a chair when speaking or when spoken to, and looking persons earnestly in the face without any apparent cause.
• Surliness of all kinds, especially on receiving a compliment
• Distortion of countenance, and mimicry.
• Ridicule of every kind, vice or folly
• A constant smile or settled frown on the countenance.