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For
the colonial gentry, reputation was everything. The proper gentleman
or lady was expected to act in a certain way fitting of his or her status
in society. There was a proper way to eat, to dress, to conduct
business, even to flirt with a prospective husband or wife. While in
the public eye, men and women were on their best behavior.
When
George Washington was just a fourteen years old, he penned his famous 110
"Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and
Conversation." These general rules were derived from an
English translation of a pre-existing French text which detailed proper
manners in the company of others. The lessons to be learned above
all else were to maintain a perfect sense of self-control and govern one's
actions through the balance of moral virtue and affections of the heart
. Here are few of Washington's rules...
- Washington's
Rules
1st...Every Action done in company ought to be with some sign
of respect to those that are present.
- 2nd...When
in company, put not your hands to any part of the body, not
usually discovered.
3rd...Show nothing to your friend that may affright him.
4th...In the presence of others sing not to yourself with a
humming noise, nor drum with your fingers or feet.
5th...If you cough, sneeze, sigh, or yawn, do it not loud but
privately; speak not in your yawning, but put your handkerchief
or hand before your face and turn aside.
6th...Sleep not when others speak, sit not when others stand,
speak not when you should hold your peace, walk not on when
others stop.
7th...Put not off your clothes in the presence of others, nor go
out your chamber half dressed.
9th...Spit not in the fire, nor stoop low before it.
Neither put your hands into the flames to warm them, nor
set your feet upon the fire, especially if there be meat before
it.
11th...Shift not yourself in the sight of others nor gnaw your
nails.
12th...Shake not the head, feet, or legs; roll not the
eyes; lift not one eyebrow higher than the other;
wry not the mouth; and bedew no man's face with your
spittle by approaching too near him when you speak.
73rd...Think before you speak; pronounce not imperfectly
nor bring out your words too hastily, but orderly &
distinctly.
89th...Speak not evil off the absent, for it is unjust.
90th...Being set at meat, scratch not; neither spit,
cough, or blow your nose, except if there is a
necessity for it.
92nd...Take no salt, nor cut your bread with your knife greasy.
95th...Put not your meat to your mouth with your knife;
neither spit forth the stones of any fruit pie upon a dish nor
cast anything under the table.
96th...It is unbecoming to stoop too much to one's meat.
Keep your fingers clean and when foul, wipe them on a corner of
your table napkin.
97th...Put not another bit into your mouth till the former be
swallowed. Let not your morsels be too big.
98th...Drink not, nor talk with your mouth full; neither
gaze about you while you are drinking.
100th...Cleanse not your teeth with the table cloth napkin,
fork, or knife; but if others do it, let it be done with a
pick tooth.
109th...Let your recreations be manful not sinful.
110th...Labour to keep alive in your breast that little
celestial fire called conscience.
How can you use this in your classroom ?
1. Ask
students to identify certain rules that they must follow while
eating dinner, going to the grocery store, speaking with an adult,
sitting in church, etc . . .
2. Pass a
copy of the rules around the room, having each child read one rule
aloud. When they are finished, pass the copy to the next
child.
3. After
all the rules have been read, go through the rules and ask students
to translate the language. What do each of the rules really
mean ?
4. Ask
students to compare Washington's rules with the rules their parents
have enforced. How many are the same? Different?
Are they some rules that simply do not apply to modern life?
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