Quotes About Etiquette

People who start a sentence with personally (and they're always women) ought to be thrown to the lions. It's a repulsive habit.

Has no one ever told you that it is the height of impropriety to kiss any gentleman, unless you have the intention of accompanying him immediately to the altar?

if you talk any more flummery to me, Frederica, I shall give you one of my—er—icy set-downs!"(Alverstoke)

Have you any brothers? demanded Mr. Beaumaris. No, said Mr. Scunthorpe, blinking at him. Only child. You relieve my mind. Offer my congratulations to your parents!

I see now that there is a great deal in what Aunt Almeria says. She considers that there are terrible pitfalls in Society. Sir Richard shook his head sadly. Alas, too true! And vice, said Pen awfully. Profligacy, and extravagance, you know. I know. She picked up her knife and fork again. It must be very exciting, she said enviously.

How could you receive a member of the Male Sex in your bedroom, and in your dressing gown? Sir, I must request you to leave immediately! You don't mean to tell me that's a dressing gown? interrupted Mr Carlton, a dangerous gleam in his eyes. Well, it's by far the most elegant one I've ever been privileged to see, and I suppose I must have seen scores of 'em in my time- paid for them too!

Let me tell you, my girl, that I'm swallowing no more of your insults! And if I hear another word from you in disparagement of the Corinthian set it will be very much the worse for you!

How is this? she demanded I had thought a Marquis must always be acceptable! That, Miss Merriville, Depends on the Marquis!

I never drive when I can ride," said his lordship indifferently. "I make no doubt at all that had I been Mary Challoner you would have been glad enough to have borne me company!" The Marquis was snuffing one of the candles, but he looked up at that, and there was a glint in his eye. "That, my dear, is quite another matter," he said.

I shan't ask you how you do, ma'am: to enquire after a lady's health implies that she is not in her best looks. Besides, I can see that you are in high bloom.

With the aid of the baluster-rail and Mr Goring's stalwart arm she arrived, panting but triumphant, on the first floor, and paused to take breath. Observing that Lybster was about to throw open the door into the drawing room she stopped him by the simple expedient of grasping his sleeve. Affronted, he gazed at her with much hauteur, and said in freezing accents: Madam? Looby! enunciated Mrs Floore, between gasps. You wait! Trying to push me in - like a landed salmon!

If a man gives a party, he ought to know what kind of party it is,' argued the Viscount. 'If you don't know, how are we to know? It might be a damned soirée, in which case we wouldn't have come. Let's go home, Pom.

I don't ask you - fribble!' snapped his lordship, rounding on him, with the speed of a whiplash. 'You may keep your tongue between your teeth!' Yes, sir - happy to!' uttered Claud, dismayed. 'No wish to offend you! Thought you might like to be set right!' 'Thought I might like to be set right?' 'No, no! Spoke without thinking!' said Claud hastily. ' I know you don't!

Eugenia never wears modish gowns. She says there are more important things to think of than one's dresses.' 'What a stupid thing to say!' remarked Sophy. 'Naturally there are, but not, I hold, when one is dressing for dinner.

If,said the Dowager, after a pregnant silence, I had ever dared to speak so to my grandmother, I should have been soundly whipped and confined to my bedchamber on bread-and-water for a sennight! The gravity vanished from Cressy's face. no, would you, Ma'am? How very brave your parents must have been!

Unfortunately, you, Sir Tristram, knowing nothing of me, and being possessed of a tyrannical disposition – I beg your pardon?' 'I did not speak,' replied Sir Tristram, eyeing her frostily. Miss Thane met his look with one of limpid innocence. 'Oh, I quite thought you did!' 'I choked,' explained Sir Tristram. 'Pray continue! You had reached my tyrannical disposition.

I believe I have several times requested you not to call Rupert 'imbecile', infant. But Monseigheur, he is an imbecile! she protested. You know he is! Undoubtedly, ma fille, but I do not tell the whole world so. Then I do not know what I am to call him, said Leonie.

Let me tell you, sir, that if you wish to be accepted into Bath society you will do well to mend your manners!' retorted Abby. 'I've none to mend, and not the smallest wish to be accepted into Bath, or any other, society.

Oh, Auntie, please take Jenny to the Dering ball next week! she said impulsively. You will come, won't you, sweet? Jennifer blushed and stammered. To be sure, nodded her ladyship. Of course she will come! James, sit down! You should know by now the sight of anyone on their feet fatigues me, silly boy! Dear me, child, how like you are to your brother! Are you looking at my wig? Monstrous, isn't it?

That's what you think of me, is it, girl? said his lordship, a glint in his eyes. Oh, no! she responded, dropping him a curtsy. It's what I say , sir! You must know that my featherheaded Mama has taught me to behave with all the propriety in the world! To tell you what I think of you would be to sink myself quite below reproach!

It is customary, you know, to exchange polite conversation during the dance. I have now addressed no fewer than three unexceptionable remarks to you without winning one answer!

Yes, darling, that is quite a nice frock, but the hankerchief is not only the wrong shade of grey, but quite damnably tied. Let me show you, my sweet.

She had every intention of maintaining her punctilious civility, and might have done so had he not said, as he took his seat beside her in the carriage he had hired for the evening: 'I wish I had ordered a hot brick to be provided.' 'Thank you, but there was not the least need to do so: I don't feel at all cold.' 'I daresay icebergs don't feel cold either, but I do!

And let me tell you, Mr Ravenscar, that Lucius Kennet is downstairs, and if you have any notion of starting a vulgar brawl in my house, I will have you thrown out of it! There is Silas, and both the waiters, and my aunt's butler, and my brother too, so do not think I cannot do it!' 'This is very flattering,' he said, 'but I fear my fighting qualities have been exaggerated. It would not take all these people to throw me out of the house.