Suggestions for Instruction Relating to Personal Habits.
1. Whatever has been said in reference to cleanliness in school applies out of school as well. Cleanliness is a pretty certain sign of good breeding. Every consideration of health and good taste and refinement urges to cleanliness. Never think to hide uncleanliness. If your habits are not neat, it will be known.
2. Never neglect the details of the toilet. Such toilet offices as cleaning the nails, the ears, the nose, are proper only in the privacy of one’s apartment. The nails should not be bitten. It destroys their beauty, and is an impolite and unhealthy habit.
3. Many people have a habit of continually feeling of the face or hair. This is not a mark of refinement of manners, and should not be indulged in. “Fussing” with anything, twirling things, drumming, should be avoided. When the hands are not necessarily employed, they should be kept quiet.
4. The feet should not be kept constantly and unnecessarily in motion, nor should they be brought into notice when possible to avoid it. Young ladies should not sit with the feet extended and crossed. No one should sit with the feet on the rounds of a chair. Tapping on the floor with the foot is not in good form.
5. Spitting is a disgusting habit. Avoid it whenever it is possible. Never give attention or refer to a sore on the face or hands when others are present. Yawning and stretching in company are considered rude. Hiccoughing and sneezing should be avoided, if possible.
6. The mouth should be kept closed, unless there is some good reason for opening it. One who has a habit of keeping the mouth open continually is considered weak mentally, if not physically.
7. Incessant smiling or laughing is silly and disagreeable. Smiling or laughing is allowable when there is something to laugh at. Giggling is unpardonable. Hearty laughter is allowable in some places, but boisterous laughter never. As a general thing the countenance should be kept in repose. This implies neither a silly nor a stern expression, but one indicative of kindness and common sense.
8. A loud or otherwise disagreeable voice is not a mark of the best manners. If such a voice is natural, it may be trained and toned down as in singing. A person of real refinement may have a peculiar voice, but not a disagreeably loud one. Humming is disagreeable and impolite.
9. Boys should not carry their hands in their pockets. Boys should not whistle when it will disturb or annoy any one.
[Chapter XV.]
MANNERS IN PUBLIC.
LESSON 8.
Purpose.—To specify some particulars of street manners.
Method.—Item read with or without comment.
The Lesson.
No polite person will indulge in loud or boisterous conduct on the street. Loud talk or laughter is very ill-mannered. Only a quiet demeanor is allowable, and one who indulges in any other is guilty of rudeness. A complaint often made against pupils is that they are inclined to be rude and selfish in not giving those whom they meet their due share of the walk in passing. Oftentimes boys in their play are so heedless as to jostle against those passing on the sidewalk. This is selfish and rude. If it happens accidentally, suitable apologies should be made.
Questions.—In what tone of voice should one speak in the street? What does loud laughter in the street indicate? What demeanor is allowable? What fault is found with the manners of pupils on the street? What are your own observations in the matter? What are your criticisms?