If you follow me on Instagram, you'll know that I suffered a bit of a setback recently in my 4-month purge. I was working on my books category, already a challenge because my husband and I have hundreds of books between us. (I'm doing the kids' books separately later.)
My husband mentioned casually that there were "a couple" of boxes of books under the work table in the storage room. I dug them out and found that there were actually six more boxes full of books! Prior to that moment I thought I had the books well in hand, but this presented a challenge. After a brief moment of despair, I decided that this should prove to be motivation to purge even more freely.
But I digress. I plan to post a separate post about my book organization later. Really I just wanted to show you a few of the vintage books I uncovered in those six boxes.
Who knows if I'll ever actually read it, but I sure do love this boxed copy of Gustave Flaubert's Madame Bovary. It's an English translation, published by Peter Pauper Press, Mt. Vernon, New York. I don't see a date on it, but somebody put a book label on the inside on which they wrote 4 - 45. I feel like every novel should have a floral cover - how gorgeous is this one?
I also love this darling book, Personality and Etiquette by Lillian N. Reid, who was then the head of the Home Economics Department at Senior High School, San Bernardino, California. My mother wrote her name on the inside of this one, and she covered the book with a homemade paper jacket, which I think is just awesome. I wonder if she carried it around with her? Perhaps she will comment below. The book was published in 1941 by Little, Brown and Company, Boston.
While some of the "rules" in this book might seem a bit antiquated, overall I would say that I know quite a few people today (and not just teenagers) who would benefit from a refresher on some simple rules of politeness. Don't even get me started on the cellphones.
Here's an example from the book:
The well-bred customer will:
1. Remember that a clerk is just as sensitive to unkind words as any other person.
2. Realize that a saleswoman cannot defend herself.
3. Wait her turn in fairness to others.
4. Not crowd or "elbow."
5. Be appreciative of courtesy, but not too familiar in attitude.
6. Realize that it is unkind to give vent to disappointment by such remarks as, "I never could find anything in this store!"
7. Avoid conspicuous behavior, loud approval or disapproval, positive personal opinions or criticisms.
I am a big fan of the "wait her turn" bit. If you've ever been to Winners at lunchtime you know what I mean.
Do you know anybody who could use this book? Let's not name names - that would be impolite. ;)
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Here's an example from the book:
The well-bred customer will:
1. Remember that a clerk is just as sensitive to unkind words as any other person.
2. Realize that a saleswoman cannot defend herself.
3. Wait her turn in fairness to others.
4. Not crowd or "elbow."
5. Be appreciative of courtesy, but not too familiar in attitude.
6. Realize that it is unkind to give vent to disappointment by such remarks as, "I never could find anything in this store!"
7. Avoid conspicuous behavior, loud approval or disapproval, positive personal opinions or criticisms.
I am a big fan of the "wait her turn" bit. If you've ever been to Winners at lunchtime you know what I mean.
Do you know anybody who could use this book? Let's not name names - that would be impolite. ;)
Linking up to:
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Love the Etiquette books - and the passage you chose is so apt. I have a few treasures from that 'era' that I peek at occasionally. Thanks for Vintage Bliss Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteThe etiquette book is precious. That is all still good advise today. I love reading the old manner books. Thanks for the party.
ReplyDelete