Ideal conversation must be an exchange of thought, and not, as many of those who worry most about their shortcomings believe, an eloquent exhibition of wit or oratory. Emily Post More Quotes by Emily Post More Quotes From Emily Post A lady never asks a gentleman to dance, or to go to supper with her. Emily Post supper asks gentleman The letter we all love to receive is one that carries so much of the writer’s personality that she seems to be sitting beside us, looking at us directly and talking just as she really would, could she have come on a magic carpet, instead of sending her proxy in ink-made characters on mere paper. Emily Post personality talking character Never so long as you live, write a letter to a man - no matter who he is - that you would be ashamed to see in a newspaper above your signature. Emily Post writing men long The fact that slang is apt and forceful makes its use irresistibly tempting. Coarse or profane slang is beside the mark, but "flivver," "taxi," the "movies," "deadly" (meaning dull), "feeling fit," "feeling blue," "grafter," a "fake," "grouch," "hunch" and "right o!" are typical of words that it would make our spoken language stilted to exclude. Emily Post fake feelings blue A gentleman should never take his hat off with a flourish. Emily Post hats gentleman should Excepting a religious ceremonial, there is no occasion where greater dignity of manner is required of ladies and gentlemen both, than in occupying a box at the opera. For a gentleman especially no other etiquette is so exacting. Emily Post opera gentleman religious Jealousy is the suspicion of one's own inferiority. Emily Post suspicion inferiority envy Custom is a mutable thing; yet we readily recognize the permanence of certain social values. Graciousness and courtesy are never old-fashioned. Emily Post social-values courtesy manners Never do anything that is unpleasant to others. Emily Post Courtesy demands that you, when you are a guest, shall show neither annoyance nor disappointment--no matter what happens. Emily Post demand guests disappointment To be a good sportsman, one must be a stoic and never show rancor in defeat, or triumph in victory, or irritation, no matter what annoyance is encountered. One who can not help sulking, or explaining, or protesting when the loser, or exulting when the winner, has no right to take part in games or contests. Emily Post irritation games sports The only occasion when the traditions of courtesy permit a hostess to help herself before a woman guest is when she has reason to believe the food is poisoned. Emily Post guests helping believe Never take more than your share - whether of the road in driving your car, of chairs on a boat or seats on a train, or food at the table. Emily Post driving car tables It is impossible for a hatless woman to be chic. Emily Post chic impossible To tell a lie in cowardice, to tell a lie for gain, or to avoid deserved punishment--are all the blackest of black lies. Emily Post punishment black lying Never say "Au revoir" unless you have been talking French, or are speaking to a French person. Emily Post has-beens persons talking Children are all more or less little monkeys in that they imitate everything they see. If their mother treats them exactly as she does her visitors they in turn play "visitor" to perfection. Nothing hurts the feelings of children more than not being allowed to behave like grown persons when they think they are able. Emily Post hurt mother children A little praise is not only merest justice but is beyond the purse of no one. Emily Post purses justice littles Unconsciousness of self is not so much unselfishness as it is the mental ability to extinguish all thought of one's self - exactly as one turns out the light. Emily Post ability light self Bread is like dressed, hats and shoes - in other words, essential! Emily Post shoes essentials bread