Etiquette Enthusiasts? Or Extremists?

Throughout history, there have been those who have taken etiquette to extremes. Ward McAllister (above) was one such social butterfly of the gilded age. We make every attempt to not go to extremes at Etiquipedia. We are etiquette enthusiasts, but we understand custom, culture and respect for others are equally as important to etiquette.

Extreme Enthusiasm for Etiquette

Etiquette enthusiasts are usually supersensitive people. “Good form,” in their eyes, is of paramount importance. Ward McAllister was one of these. The extremes of etiquette enthusiasm and of superficiality usually go hand in hand. Frequently the less a man knows the more enthusiastic is he over the punctilious observance of what is vulgarly known as “good form.” 

Active, intelligent men are too busy with the serious affairs of life to devote much thought to the etiquette of enthusiasts. Official life demands much etiquette and its observance is then as commendable as is a good dinner, such as is served at the Hotel Florence, to a hungry guest. — San Diego Union and Daily Bee, March 1896

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