At the Table
Do not keep the table waiting.
Do not lean on the table with your elbows, but do not go to the other extreme by sitting far back in your chair or lolling on one side.
Do not eat soup from the tip of your spoon, but rather from the side. Dip the spoon into the bowl away from you. Never ask for a second helping of soup.
Do not use a knife to convey food to your mouth.
Do not cut your meat with unnecessary energy.
Do not leave a spoon in a tea or coffee cup.
Do not cross the knife and fork above the plate, but lay them side by side with the handles together.
.
Do not break bread into pieces and soak it in gravy.
Do not butter a slice of bread totally, but break it in several bits and butter each bit, daintily.
Do not behave at the table as though you were afraid of not getting your share of the food, or eating as if you were trying to catch a train about to depart.
Do not forget that general conversation should be a delightful accompaniment to each meal and that the obligation rests upon you to do your part toward making the meal agreeable and pleasant.
Do not fold your napkin after eating, but leave it unfolded on the table.
Do not use toothpicks at the table or directly after a meal in the presence of others.
Here and There
Do not borrow, gossip, nag, or growl.
Do not say something critical or malicious in order to keep the
conversation going. There is a wondrous charm in silence.
Do not play a French horn, practice vocal exercises, or even run
a pianola during the hours which less talented folk desire to
sleep.
Do not tell lies. Make few promises and keep them. Speak the
truth, and when you address a person look him in the eyes.
Do not forget that your character cannot be seriously injured
except through you own acts.
Do not go into debt. Live within your income and refuse steadfastly to spend money not actually yours.
Do not marry, if you are a man, unless you are able to support a wife.
Do not marry, if you are a woman, unless you are in good health
and are prepared and capable to be not only sweetheart and friend, but a
helpmeet.
Do not, if you are a woman employed by an man, accept social
civilities from your employer.
Do not expect to control others until you have learned to control yourself.
Do not talk about things that interest you only.
Do not be a bore, i.e., a person who insists on talking about himself when I want to talk about myself.
Do not be witty at the expense of another’s feelings.
Do not be rude to sales people, and by that same token, if you are a sales person, do not be rude to you customers.
Do not set up your own standards and expect the whole world to be governed by them.
Do not condemn because you do not understand.
Do not fail the alleviate to the extent of your ability the suffering and distress of others.
Do not contradict your friends or interrupt them when they are
speaking.
Do not spend time deploring the imperfections of others, but consider how best to mend your own.
Do not forget that anger and worry are the thieves that steal precious time and energy from life.
Concerning Correspondence
Do not write on both sides of the paper when you address an
editor.
Do not forget that ladies and gentlemen are supposed to know how to spell correctly.
Do not write “My Dear Sir,” but “My dear Sir.”
Do not underline words to give them more emphasis in formal
communications.
Do not address the President of the United States as Dear Mr. Roosevelt, but as Dear Sir.
Do not under any circumstance degrade yourself by writing an anonymous
letter.
Do not forget to write to a friend or hostess after enjoying a stay in her home as a guest. This is called a bread and butter letter and should be written within 24 hours after the end of your visit.
Do not write person communications or friendly letters on a typewriter.
In Your Relation with Servants
Do not be familiar with your servants; treat every employee with
respect.
Do not permit your servant to discuss his last employer or tell you about other people’s affairs.
Do not always expect the worst of your servants.
Do not forget to recognize long and faithful
service.
Do not expect more of your servant than you would be willing to give if the
positions were reversed.
Do not scold your servants; if you must dismiss a servant do it, but do not argue with him.
Do not correct a servant in the presence of the children of the family.
Do not lean on the table with your elbows, but do not go to the other extreme by sitting far back in your chair or lolling on one side.
Do not eat soup from the tip of your spoon, but rather from the side. Dip the spoon into the bowl away from you. Never ask for a second helping of soup.
Do not use a knife to convey food to your mouth.
Do not cut your meat with unnecessary energy.
Do not leave a spoon in a tea or coffee cup.
Do not cross the knife and fork above the plate, but lay them side by side with the handles together.
.
Do not break bread into pieces and soak it in gravy.
Do not butter a slice of bread totally, but break it in several bits and butter each bit, daintily.
Do not behave at the table as though you were afraid of not getting your share of the food, or eating as if you were trying to catch a train about to depart.
Do not forget that general conversation should be a delightful accompaniment to each meal and that the obligation rests upon you to do your part toward making the meal agreeable and pleasant.
Do not fold your napkin after eating, but leave it unfolded on the table.
Do not use toothpicks at the table or directly after a meal in the presence of others.
Here and There
Do not borrow, gossip, nag, or growl.
Do not say something critical or malicious in order to keep the
conversation going. There is a wondrous charm in silence.
Do not play a French horn, practice vocal exercises, or even run
a pianola during the hours which less talented folk desire to
sleep.
Do not tell lies. Make few promises and keep them. Speak the
truth, and when you address a person look him in the eyes.
Do not forget that your character cannot be seriously injured
except through you own acts.
Do not go into debt. Live within your income and refuse steadfastly to spend money not actually yours.
Do not marry, if you are a man, unless you are able to support a wife.
Do not marry, if you are a woman, unless you are in good health
and are prepared and capable to be not only sweetheart and friend, but a
helpmeet.
Do not, if you are a woman employed by an man, accept social
civilities from your employer.
Do not expect to control others until you have learned to control yourself.
Do not talk about things that interest you only.
Do not be a bore, i.e., a person who insists on talking about himself when I want to talk about myself.
Do not be witty at the expense of another’s feelings.
Do not be rude to sales people, and by that same token, if you are a sales person, do not be rude to you customers.
Do not set up your own standards and expect the whole world to be governed by them.
Do not condemn because you do not understand.
Do not fail the alleviate to the extent of your ability the suffering and distress of others.
Do not contradict your friends or interrupt them when they are
speaking.
Do not spend time deploring the imperfections of others, but consider how best to mend your own.
Do not forget that anger and worry are the thieves that steal precious time and energy from life.
Concerning Correspondence
Do not write on both sides of the paper when you address an
editor.
Do not forget that ladies and gentlemen are supposed to know how to spell correctly.
Do not write “My Dear Sir,” but “My dear Sir.”
Do not underline words to give them more emphasis in formal
communications.
Do not address the President of the United States as Dear Mr. Roosevelt, but as Dear Sir.
Do not under any circumstance degrade yourself by writing an anonymous
letter.
Do not forget to write to a friend or hostess after enjoying a stay in her home as a guest. This is called a bread and butter letter and should be written within 24 hours after the end of your visit.
Do not write person communications or friendly letters on a typewriter.
In Your Relation with Servants
Do not be familiar with your servants; treat every employee with
respect.
Do not permit your servant to discuss his last employer or tell you about other people’s affairs.
Do not always expect the worst of your servants.
Do not forget to recognize long and faithful
service.
Do not expect more of your servant than you would be willing to give if the
positions were reversed.
Do not scold your servants; if you must dismiss a servant do it, but do not argue with him.
Do not correct a servant in the presence of the children of the family.