When visiting, be careful that you do not appear to undervalue anything around you by comparing it with what you have at home.
Beware of personal abuse or invective. Remember what Shakespeare put into the month of Cardinal Wolsey, when the Earl of Surrey said to him on his disgrace:
"Now if you can blush and cry 'guilty' Cardinal,
You'll show a little honesty."
Mark the proud dignity of the prelate's reply:
"Speak on, sir;
I dare your worst objections: If I blush
It is to see a nobleman want manners."
Punning is a vulgarism that should be scrupulously avoided. An inveterate punster, though his play upon words may rise to the keenest wit, is yet an insufferable bore. No one feels secure in his society, or can guess what word may be torn out of a serious or brilliant remark to be tortured into a vulgar witticism, out of place and uncalled for.
Proverbs are not in good taste when introduced into conversation.
Scriptural phrases are apt to subject the speaker to a suspicion of insincerity, and should be used very seldom, and with the utmost reverence.
Cant is simply detestable.
Religion is a subject too apt to lead to long arguments if not to positive altercation to be the subject of general conversation.