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| “… on the part of Lincoln it was good manners and good taste to refrain from throwing her out of the window, as in strict justice he should have done. Good taste is largely a matter of experience united to natural abilities. – Public domain image of President Abraham Lincoln |
Taste and Manners…
Sometimes They Are Linked and Are Also Both Bad – Truth Can Often be Humorous
What is the difference between taste and manners? It may be bad manners to knock a man down, but it is not necessarily bad taste. A rich man in Philadelphia gave a reception and issued invitation cards upon which were engraved his picture. This was not bad manners. It was certainly bad taste.
A large, handsome woman once broke into a meeting of President Lincoln's cabinet, interrupting the proceedings. The homely Lincoln, arose and, addressing her, said: “Madam, what do you wish?” She replied: “I came in here to take a look at you.” Lincoln smiled. “Well, madam,” he replied, “in the matter of looking I have a distinct advantage of you.”
That was both bad taste and bad manners on her part, and on the part of Lincoln it was good manners and good taste to refrain from throwing her out of the window, as in strict justice he should have done. Good taste is largely a matter of experience united to natural abilities.
To go up to your father-in-law at your wedding breakfast with a bottle of champagne in your hand and slapping him on the back, calling him “old sport,” is not only bad taste and bad manners, but wretched sense, especially if the old gentleman is worth a million.
To be told that your friend is too busy to see you in his office and then to call him up over the nearest telephone is not necessarily bad taste, but bad manners. The two may go together. but this is not an invarible rule. - Life, 1917
🍽️Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia
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