Some rules of “the Best Society” imparted by Emily Post in Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics and at Home (1922).
There is a quality of protectiveness in a man’s expression as it falls on his betrothed, as though she were so lovely a breath might break her; and in the eyes of a girl whose love is really deep, there is always evidence of that most beautiful look of championship, as though she thought: “No one else can possibly know how wonderful he is!”
The pretty young woman living alone, must literally follow Cinderella’s habits.
No lady should cross her knees so that her skirts go up to or above them; neither should her foot be thrust out so that her toes are at knee level.
In good society ladies do not kiss each other when they meet either at parties or in public.
To the bore life holds no dullness; every subject is of unending delight. A story told for the thousandth time has not lost its thrill; every tiresome detail is held up and turned about as a morsel of delectableness; to him each pea in a pod differs from another with the entrancing variety that artists find in tropical sunsets.
“Tintinnabulary summons,” meaning bell, and “Bovine continuation,” meaning cow’s tail, are more amusing than offensive, but they illustrate the theory of bad style that is pretentious.
Having risen to go, go! Don’t stand and keep your hostess standing while you say good-bye, and make a last remark last half an hour!