Delicate Etiquette

I was reading a cool blog/website called "The Art of Manliness" and came across a post that listed a bunch of etiquette rules from a book called "Hill’s Manual of Social and Business Forms" published in 1880. (Read the full post here.)

The article lists a ton of examples of things a gentleman in 1880 was to do or not to do. Below I have listed a few of my favorites with commentary in italics where possible:

• Never exaggerate. Oops. I always exaggerate about everything.
  
• Never laugh at the misfortunes of others. Sorry, it's kind of how I make part of my living.
  
• Never give a promise that you do not fulfill. Gulp.
  
• Never send a present, hoping for one in return. This is why I don't send presents.
  
• Never speak much of your own performances. Instead, ask people how you did.
  
• Never fail to be punctual at the time appointed. Guilty.
  
• Never make yourself the hero of your own story. We all know this guy, right?
  
• Never fail to give a polite answer to a civil question.
  
• Never question a child about family matters. Especially our children. They know too much.
  
• Never present a gift saying that it is of no use to yourself. Sorry I gave you that copy of "Jack" directed by Francis Ford Coppola.
  
• Never call attention to the features or form of anyone present. Bella ...
  
• Never associate with bad company. Have good company, or none. Poison or Warrant is, however, just fine.
  
• Never look over the shoulder of another who is reading or writing. Aidan ...
  
• Never appear to notice a scar, deformity, or defect of anyone present. Bella and Aidan ...
  
• Never punish your child for a fault to which you are addicted yourself. If I can't say bitchface, then you can't say bitchface.
  
• Never answer questions in general company that have been put to others. Pick me! Pick me! Pick me!
  
• Never, when traveling abroad, be over boastful in praise of your own country. U-S-A, U-S-A!
  
• Never attempt to draw the attention of the company constantly upon yourself. Have you ever been in a room full of theater students?
  
• Never exhibit anger, impatience or excitement, when an accident happens. Impossible not to do one of these things. Do YouTube accidents count? (Thanks, Eric, for the link.)
  
• Never enter a room noisily; never fail to close the door after you, and never slam it.
• Never will a gentleman allude to conquests which he may have made with ladies.
  
• Never fail to offer the easiest and best seat in the room to an invalid, an elderly person, or a lady.
• Never give all your pleasant words and smile to strangers. The kindest words and the sweetest smiles should be reserved for home. Home should be our heaven. Amen.
  

Which old-time customs, etiquette and rules would you like to see more abundantly in 2009?