ColonialManners

BasedontheExerciseofaSchoolboy*
GeorgeWashington,sometimebeforetheageof16,transcribedRules
ofCivility&DecentBehaviourInCompanyandConversation.
(Originalerrorsinnumberinghavebeencorrected;originalspellingis
unchanged.)

1stEveryActiondoneinCompany,oughttobewithSomeSignof
Respect,tothosethatarePresent.
2dWheninCompany,putnotyourHandstoanyPartoftheBody,not
usualyDiscovered.
3dShewNothingtoyourFreindthatmayaffrighthim.
4thInthePresenceofOthersSingnottoyourselfwithahumming
Noise,norDrumwithyourFingersorFeet.
5thIfYouCough,Sneeze,Sigh,orYawn,doitnotLoudbutPrivately;
andSpeaknotinyourYawning,butputYourhandkercheiforHand
beforeyourfaceandturnaside.
6thSleepnotwhenothersSpeak,Sitnotwhenothersstand,Speaknot
whenyouShouldholdyourPeace,walknotonwhenothersStop.
7thPutnotoffyourClothsinthepresenceofOthers,norgooutyour
ChamberhalfDrest.
8thAtPlayandatFireitsGoodmannerstoGivePlacetothelast
Commer,andaffectnottoSpeakLouderthanOrdinary.
9thSpitnotintheFire,norStooplowbeforeitneitherPutyourHands

intotheFlamestowarmthem,norSetyourFeetupontheFire
especiallyiftherebemeatbeforeit.
10thWhenyouSitdown,KeepyourFeetfirmandEven,without
puttingoneontheotherorCrossingthem.
11thShiftnotyourselfintheSightofothersnorGnawyournails.
12thShakenotthehead,Feet,orLegsrowlnottheEysliftnotone
eyebrowhigherthantheotherwrynotthemouth,andbedewnomans
facewithyourSpittle,byapproachingtoonearhimwhenyouSpeak.
13thKillnoVerminasFleas,liceticks&cintheSightofOthers,if
youSeeanyfilthorthickSpittleputyourfootDexteriouslyuponitifit
beupontheClothsofyourCompanions,Putitoffprivately,andifitbe
uponyourownClothsreturnThankstohimwhoputsitoff.
14thTurnnotyourBacktoothersespeciallyinSpeaking,Jognotthe
TableorDeskonwhichAnotherreadsorwrites,leannotuponany
one.
15thKeepyourNailscleanandShort,alsoyourHandsandTeeth
CleanyetwithoutShewinganygreatConcernforthem.
16thDonotPuffuptheCheeks,LollnotoutthetonguerubtheHands,
orbeard,thrustoutthelips,orbitethemorkeeptheLipstooopenor
tooClose.
17thBenoFlatterer,neitherPlaywithanythatdelightsnottobePlay'd
Withal.
18thReadnoLetters,Books,orPapersinCompanybutwhenthereisa
Necessityforthedoingofityoumustaskleave:comenotnearthe
BooksorWritingsofAnothersoastoreadthemunlessdesiredorgive
youropinionofthemunask'dalsolooknotnighwhenanotheris
writingaLetter.

19thletyourCountenancebepleasantbutinSeriousMatters
Somewhatgrave.
20thTheGesturesoftheBodymustbeSuitedtothediscourseyouare
upon.
21st:ReproachnonefortheInfirmatiesofNature,norDelighttoPut
themthathaveinmindthereof.
22dShewnotyourselfgladattheMisfortuneofanotherthoughhe
wereyourenemy.
23dWhenyouseeaCrimepunished,youmaybeinwardlyPleased;but
alwaysshewPitytotheSufferingOffender.
24thDonotlaughtooloudortoomuchatanyPublickSpectacle.
25thSuperfluousComplementsandallAffectationofCeremonieareto
beavoided,yetwhereduetheyarenottobeNeglected.
26thInPullingoffyourHattoPersonsofDistinction,asNoblemen,
Justices,Churchmen&cmakeaReverence,bowingmoreorless
accordingtotheCustomoftheBetterBred,andQualityofthePerson.
AmongstyourequalsexpectnotalwaysthattheyShouldbeginwith
youfirst,buttoPullofftheHatwhenthereisnoneedisAffectation,in
theMannerofSalutingandresalutinginwordskeeptothemostusual
Custom.
27thTisillmannerstobidonemoreeminentthanyourselfbecovered
aswellasnottodoittowhomit'sdueLikewisehethatmakestoo
muchhastetoPutonhishatdoesnotwell,yetheoughttoPutitonat
thefirst,oratmosttheSecondtimeofbeingask'd;nowwhatisherein
Spoken,ofQualificationinbehaviourinSaluting,oughtalsotobe
observedintakingofPlace,andSittingdownforceremonieswithout
Boundsistroublesome.

28thIfanyonecometoSpeaktoyouwhileyouareareSittingStand
upthohebeyourInferiour,andwhenyouPresentSeatsletitbeto
everyoneaccordingtohisDegree.
29thWhenyoumeetwithoneofGreaterQualitythanyourself,Stop,
andretireespeciallyifitbeataDoororanyStraightplacetogiveway
forhimtoPass.
30thInwalkingthehighestPlaceinmostCountrysSeemstobeonthe
righthandthereforePlaceyourselfontheleftofhimwhomyoudesire
toHonour:butifthreewalktogetherthemiddestPlaceisthemost
Honourablethewallisusuallygiventothemostworthyiftwowalk
together.
31stIfanyonefarSurpassessothers,eitherinage,Estate,orMerityet
wouldgivePlacetoameanerthanhimselfinhisownlodgingor
elsewheretheoneoughtnottoexceptit,Soheontheotherpartshould
notusemuchearnestnessnorofferitaboveonceortwice.
32d:Toonethatisyourequal,ornotmuchinferioryouaretogivethe
cheifPlaceinyourLodgingandhetowho'tisofferedoughtatthefirst
torefuseitbutattheSecondtoacceptthoughnotwithout
acknowledginghisownunworthiness.
33dTheythatareinDignityorinofficehaveinallplacesPreceedency
butwhilsttheyareYoungtheyoughttorespectthosethataretheir
equalsinBirthorotherQualitys,thoughtheyhavenoPublickcharge.
34thItisgoodMannerstopreferthemtowhomweSpeakbefore
ourselvesespeciallyiftheybeaboveuswithwhominnoSortweought
tobegin.
35thLetyourDiscoursewithMenofBusinessbeShortand
Comprehensive.
36thArtificers&PersonsoflowDegreeoughtnottousemany
ceremoniestoLords,orOthersofhighDegreebutRespectandhighly

Honourthem,andthoseofhighDegreeoughttotreatthemwith
affibility&Courtesie,withoutArrogancy.
37thInSpeakingtomenofQualitydonotleannorLookthemfullin
theFace,norapproachtoonearthematlestKeepafullPacefrom
them.
38thInvisitingtheSick,donotPresentlyplaythePhysicionifyoube
notKnowingtherein.
39thInwritingorSpeaking,givetoeveryPersonhisdueTitle
AccordingtohisDegree&theCustomofthePlace.
40thStrivenotwithyourSuperiersinargument,butalwaysSubmit
yourJudgmenttootherswithModesty.
41stUndertakenottoTeachyourequalinthearthimselfProffesses;it
Savoursofarrogancy.
42dLetthyceremoniesinCourtesiebepropertotheDignityofhis
placewithwhomthouconversestforitisabsurdtoactthesamewitha
ClownandaPrince.
43dDonotexpressJoybeforeonesickorinpainforthatcontrary
PassionwillaggravatehisMisery.
44thWhenamandoesallhecanthoughitSucceedsnotwellblamenot
himthatdidit.
45thBeingtoadviseorreprehendanyone,considerwhetheritoughtto
beinpublickorinPrivate;presently,oratSomeothertimeinwhat
termstodoit&inreprovingShewnoSignofCholarbutdoitwithall
SweetnessandMildness.
46thTakeallAdmonitionsthankfullyinwhatTimeorPlaceSoever
givenbutafterwardsnotbeingculpabletakeaTime&Place

convenienttolethimhimknowitthatgavethem.
47thMocknotnorJestatanythingofImportancebreaknoJestthatare
SharpBitingandifyouDeliveranythingwittyandPleasentabstain
fromLaughingthereatyourself.
48thWhereinwhereinyoureproveAnotherbeunblameableyourself;
forexampleismoreprevalentthanPrecepts.
49thUsenoReproachfullLanguageagainstanyoneneitherCursenor
Revile.
50thBenothastytobeleiveflyingReportstotheDisparagementof
any.
51stWearnotyourCloths,foul,unriptorDustybutSeetheybe
Brush'donceeverydayatleastandtakeheedthatyouapproachnotto
anyUncleaness.
52dInyourApparelbeModestandendeavourtoaccomodateNature,
ratherthantoprocureAdmirationkeeptotheFashionofyourequals
SuchasareCivilandorderlywithrespecttoTimesandPlaces.
53dRunnotintheStreets,neithergotooslowlynorwithMouthopen
gonotShakingyrArmskicknottheearthwithyrfeet,gonotuponthe
Toes,norinaDancingfashion.
54thPlaynotthePeacock,lookingeverywhereaboutyou,toSeeif
youbewellDeck't,ifyourShoesfitwellifyourStokingssitneatly,
andClothshandsomely.
55thEatnotintheStreets,norintheHouse,outofSeason.
56thAssociateyourselfwithMenofgoodQualityifyouEsteemyour
ownReputation;for'tisbettertobealonethaninbadCompany.

57thInwalkingupandDowninaHouse,onlywithOneinCompanyif
hebeGreaterthanyourself,atthefirstgivehimtheRighthandand
Stopnottillhedoesandbenotthefirstthatturns,andwhenyoudo
turnletitbewithyourfacetowardshim,ifhebeaManofGreat
Quality,walknotwithhimCheekbyJoulbutSomewhatbehindhim;
butyetinSuchaMannerthathemayeasilySpeaktoyou.
58thLetyourConversationbewithoutMaliceorEnvy,for'tisaSign
ofaTractableandCommendableNature:AndinallCausesofPassion
admitReasontoGovern.
59thNeverexpressanythingunbecoming,norActagsttheRulesMoral
beforeyourinferiours.
60thBenotimmodestinurgingyourFreindstoDiscoveraSecret.
61stUtternotbaseandfrivilousthingsamongstgraveandLearn'dMen
norveryDifficultQuestiansorSubjects,amongtheIgnorantorthings
hardtobebelieved,StuffnotyourDiscoursewithSentencesamongst
yourBettersnorEquals.
62dSpeaknotofdolefulThingsinaTimeofMirthorattheTable;
SpeaknotofMelancholyThingsasDeathandWounds,andifothers
MentionthemChangeifyoucantheDiscoursetellnotyourDreams,
buttoyourintimateFriend.
63dAManoughtnottovaluehimselfofhisAtchievements,orrare
Qualitiesofwit;muchlessofhisrichesVirtueorKindred.
64thBreaknotaJestwherenonetakepleasureinmirthLaughnot
aloud,noratallwithoutOccasion,deridenomansMisfortune,tho'
thereSeemtobeSomecause.
65thSpeaknotinjuriousWordsneitherinJestnorEarnestScoffat
nonealthoughtheygiveOccasion.

66thBenotforwardbutfriendlyandCourteous;thefirsttoSalutehear
andanswer&benotPensivewhenit'satimetoConverse.
67thDetractnotfromothersneitherbeexcessiveinCommanding.
68thGonotthither,whereyouknownot,whetheryouShallbe
Welcomeornot.GivenotAdvicewithoutbeingAsk'd&whendesired
doitbriefly.
69thIftwocontendtogethertakenotthepartofeitherunconstrained;
andbenotobstinateinyourownOpinion,inThingsindiferentbeof
theMajorSide.
70thReprehendnottheimperfectionsofothersforthatbelongsto
ParentsMastersandSuperiours.
71stGazenotonthemarksorblemishesofOthersandasknothow
theycame.WhatyoumaySpeakinSecrettoyourFrienddelivernot
beforeothers.
72dSpeaknotinanunknownTongueinCompanybutinyourown
LanguageandthatasthoseofQualitydoandnotastheVulgar;
SublimematterstreatSeriously.
73dThinkbeforeyouSpeakpronouncenotimperfectlynorbringout
yourWordstoohastilybutorderly&distinctly.
74thWhenAnotherSpeaksbeattentiveyourSelfanddisturbnotthe
AudienceifanyhesitateinhisWordshelphimnotnorPrompthim
withoutdesired,Interrupthimnot,norAnswerhimtillhisSpeechbe
ended.
75thInthemidstofDiscourseasknotofwhatonetreatethbutifyou
PerceiveanyStopbecauseofyourcomingyoumaywellintreathim
gentlytoProceed:IfaPersonofQualitycomesinwhileyour
Conversingit'shandsometoRepeatwhatwassaidbefore.

76thWhileyouaretalking,PointnotwithyourFingerathimofWhom
youDiscoursenorApproachtoonearhimtowhomyoutalkespecially
tohisface.
77thTreatwithmenatfitTimesaboutBusiness&Whispernotinthe
CompanyofOthers.
78thMakenoComparisonsandifanyoftheCompanybeCommended
foranybraveactofVertue,commendnotanotherfortheSame.
79thBenotapttorelateNewsifyouknownotthetruththereof.In
DiscoursingofthingsyouHaveheardNamenotyourAuthoralwaysA
SecretDiscovernot.
80thBenotTediousinDiscourseorinreadingunlessyoufindthe
Companypleasedtherewith.
81stBenotCurioustoKnowtheAffairsofOthersneitherapproach
thosethatSpeakinPrivate.
82dundertakenotwhatyoucannotperformbutbecarefulltokeep
yourpromise.
83dwhenyoudeliveramatterdoitwithoutpassion&withdiscretion,
howevermeanthepersonbeyoudoittoo.
84thWhenyourSuperiourstalktoanyBodyhearkennotneitherSpeak
norLaugh.
85thInCompanyoftheseofHigherQualitythanyourselfSpeaknottil
youareask'daQuestionthenStanduprightputofyourHat&Answer
infewwords.
86thInDisputes,benotSoDesireoustoOvercomeasnottogive
LibertytoeachonetodeliverhisOpinionandSubmittotheJudgment
oftheMajorPartespeciallyiftheyareJudgesoftheDispute.

87thLetthycarriagebesuchasbecomesaManGraveSettledand
attentivetothatwhichisspoken.Contradictnotateveryturnwhat
othersSay.
88thBenottediousinDiscourse,makenotmanyDigressigns,nor
repeatoftentheSamemannerofDiscourse.
89thSpeaknotEviloftheabsentforitisunjust.
90thBeingSetatmeatScratchnotneitherSpitCoughorblowyour
Noseexceptthere'saNecessityforit.
91stMakenoShewoftakinggreatDelightinyourVictuals,Feednot
withGreediness;cutyourBreadwithaKnife,leannotontheTable
neitherfindfaultwithwhatyouEat.
92dTakenoSaltorcutBreadwithyourKnifeGreasy.
93dEntertaininganyoneattableitisdecenttopresenthimwt.meat,
UndertakenottohelpothersundesiredbytheMaster.
94thIfyouSoakbreadintheSauceletitbenomorethanwhatyouput
inyourMouthatatimeandblownotyourbrothatTablebutStaytill
CoolsofitSelf.
95thPutnotyourmeattoyourMouthwithyourKnifeinyourhand
neitherSpitforththeStonesofanyfruitPyeuponaDishnorCast
anythingunderthetable.
96thIt'sunbecomingtoStoopmuchtoonesMeatKeepyourFingers
clean&whenfoulwipethemonaCornerofyourTableNapkin.
97thPutnotanotherbitintoyourMouthtiltheformerbeSwallowed
letnotyourMorselsbetoobigfortheGowls.

98thDrinknotnortalkwithyourmouthfullneitherGazeaboutyou
whileyouareaDrinking.
99thDrinknottooleisurelynoryettoohastily.Beforeandafter
DrinkingwipeyourLipsbreathnotthenorEverwithtooGreata
Noise,foritsuncivil.
100thCleansenotyourteethwiththeTableClothNapkinForkor
KnifebutifOthersdoitletitbedonewt.aPickTooth.
101stRincenotyourMouthinthePresenceofOthers.
102dItisoutofusetocallupontheCompanyoftentoEatnorneed
youDrinktootherseveryTimeyouDrink.
103dInCompanyofyourBettersbenotlongerineatingthantheyare
laynotyourArmbutonlyyourhanduponthetable.
104thItbelongstotheChiefestinCompanytounfoldhisNapkinand
falltoMeatfirst,ButheoughtthentoBeginintime&toDispatchwith
DexteritythattheSlowestmayhavetimeallowedhim.
105thBenotAngryatTablewhateverhappens&ifyouhavereasonto
beso,ShewitnotbutonaChearfullCountenanceespeciallyiftherebe
StrangersforGoodHumourmakesoneDishofMeataFeast.
106thSetnotyourselfattheupperoftheTablebutifitBeyourDueor
thattheMasterofthehousewillhaveitSo,Contendnot,leastyou
ShouldTroubletheCompany.
107thIfotherstalkatTablebeattentivebuttalknotwithMeatinyour
Mouth.
108thWhenyouSpeakofGodorhisAtributes,letitbeSeriously&
wt.Reverence.Honour&ObeyyourNaturalParentsalthotheybe
Poor.

109thLetyourRecreationsbeManfullnotSinfull.
110thLabourtokeepaliveinyourBreastthatLittleSparkofCelestial
fireCalledConscience.
Finis
*Washington,George.RulesofCivility&DecentBehaviourin
CompanyandConversation:aBookofEtiquette.Williamsburg,VA:
BeaverPress,1971.