Being Good
Essay Preview: Being Good
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Outline
I Introduction
A definition
B peoples impression
1 formal impression
2 common impression
C thesis
II History of Etiquette
A old British style
B Post family
1 original
2 extended
C how rules have changed from old style / new ones not used
III Kinds of Etiquette
A common sense aspect
B formal aspects
1 social
2 business
IV How and when it is used
A when the right time is
B what situations require a change
1 indicators
2 parallel good
V Personal view
A what things are really important
B why etiquette is relative
1 right to some / wrong to others
2 some expect more than others
3 situations can be perceived different ways
VI Conclusion
A re-discussion of why it is relative (from intro. & part V)
B usefulness of defined rules
1 narrow situations
2 good common ones
C re-statement / support from paper
Websters Ninth collegiate dictionary defines etiquette as “The conduct or procedure required by good breeding or prescribed by authority to be observed in social or official life.” What this tells us is that those who are bred well, and feel that others are, have certain expectations of those people. If said people dont meet those undefined standards of good breeding, then their etiquette is at fault. The other part of the definition describes etiquette as being prescribed by authority. There are times when a set of rules are laid out for a specific occasion. When this is not defined, one must decide what action or set of actions is appropriate. It reminds me of the saying “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Yet if I were to go to Rome, Ill still be American, and would have to decide if being in Rome is worth acting like a Roman. Emily Post (whom I will discuss) said “Etiquette is common sense – a code of behavior based on thoughtfulness.” (Hatfield, 61) Its all very confusing, but there is only one way to look at the whole picture. Etiquette can only be defined in terms of oneself; though rules are available, they are seldom known, and it is a personal decision and preference often depending on ones situation.
Back in old times of Kings and Queens ruling the serfs, Etiquette was the way of life. Each person had a role which they upheld, and it was well defined. Written laws, such as appropriate public attire, or proper worship practices governed what today would be considered a personal choice.(Carlson, 49) Everyone knew his or her place. They were expected to act a certain way to one person, and another to someone else. With the development of the middle class, there was a need for rules of etiquette to define those of the upper class; it had become more difficult to differentiate between the socialite upper class and those of the developing middle class. As time has gone by, such strict rules have eroded. Etiquette is slowly being replaced with manners, which are optional in most peoples eyes.
Emily Post wrote the first official book of etiquette in 1922 upon the suggestion of Frank Crowninshield of Vanity Fair (Hatfield, 61) . It was meant to be a guide for the upper class. The book went over well, and was commonly referred to (Hatfield, 61) . Posts daughter, Elizabeth, carried on the tradition with re-publishings and rewriting her mothers famous book. In recent years, Elizabeth Posts daughter-in law, Peggy, has written books and published CD roms on the subject (Hatfield, 61) . Post claims that ” . . . etiquette books are really about appropriate manners, not meaningless ritual. (Hatfield, 61)” Having read from front to back the Amy Vanderbilt Complete Book of Etiquette, such a claim seems a far stretch.
Etiquette, whether forced, implied or otherwise, always changes depending upon ones situation. For social situations, there are rules which may be followed, but dont always pertain. ” Rules for behavior in these situations are not imposed by social leaders, but created by people whose circumstances made them confined and forced to extend the bounds of social behavior” (Dunnan). When people are being “entertained” it is said that that implies food (Miller, 21). And food, in turn, implies that there must be two forks, no matter what (Kennedy, 34). None of this would pertain to a Superbowl party where the guests bring their own beer and cook on the grill. Though physical formalities are not always expected to be followed, most guests would expect some degree of respect from their host. Because entertaining means something different to everyone, one single set of rules cannot govern all parties.
Similar to a social