Some people, in speaking to you, have a silly habit of passing their hand through the hair, or stroking the mustache; some even carry a pocket-comb, which they produce on all occasions, for dressing the beard; others bite their nails, play with their watch-key, or jingle the money in their pocket; all these offences against propriety denote a want of good-breeding.
Excess in perfume should be avoided, lest the suspicion be excited that you deal in the odors that you inhale.
Good-sense has often more to do than education, in making a polished man.
One of the essential qualities of good-breeding, is deserving general esteem by one's deportment.
In little social games, a malicious girl will sometimes amuse herself by imposing on a companion a forfeit that will make her ridiculous; this shows a bad disposition of mind as well as ill-breeding.
If, in offering a lady a gift, you select one that is very costly, you may be guilty of an impertinence.
To speak in society of private matters, is extremely improper.
Turning up the sleeves on sitting down to table, as some persons do, is gross in the highest degree.
A habit of swearing always marks a vulgar man.
Calling to the waiter with a loud voice in a public-room, and striking violently on the table, are indicative of extreme ignorance.