Mark Twain on Etiquette

“Garish vulgarity taints what is regarded, commonly at least, as the ‘best society.’ How much richer may we get before degenerating into utter savagery?”   – Mark Twain’s and Charles Dudley Warner’s 1873 novel, “The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today,” satirized the era from the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s. It was a period of great division in the United States, between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’ — a period when serious social problems and changes were marked by a thin vermeil gilding, amid great wealth inequalities.

Mark Twain, at a dinner in New York talked on etiquette. “I once read a book of etiquette, and still remember many of

the rules. The most important rules were these:

“How to accept a proffered cigar.– Slip the right hand into the box, draw forth two, place one absently in the upper pocket of the vest, insert the other between the lips and look inquiringly around for a light.

“How to leave a room properly.– Open the door, place one foot over the sill, follow it up closely with the other foot, and then, turning slightly, shut the door.

“How to accept a dinner invitation. – Eat a light breakfast and no lunch.

“How to accept an invitation to drink.– Look careless, Say, ‘Don't care. if I do,’ and fix the gaze on the other side of the room while the liquor is being poured into the glass. This will assure you a full portion.” – San Jose Mercury News, 1906

🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia