sorry

I lied, I'm reading A Short History of Rudeness by Mark Caldwell. Not Civility. And whatever I said before. Manners and social customs might be hard to make a project about, but I don't really know.

Next

Well as Tazeen pointed out the country I couldn't think of was Denmark. They have some apparent aversion, in their culture, to small talk. Or that's what it seems like according to her. She means that it is odd when someone says "how are you" to them. Superficial American courtesy isn't appreciated. So how did it develop here? It makes me think of other things we do.. One thing that comes to mind is arguing or just formal speech. It seems to take so long to say something when the tone is demanded to be formal. I had an example but I don't quite remember it. I'll try to write it down next time.

I started reading Civility by the way. It seems entertaining enough for me to finish it as long as I make myself read some amount each day. I should know hopefully soon if I'm completely set on doing this etiquette/social customs thing. I'm... not completely sure about it right now i guess.

What?

Finally have the blog up. Going to try to make this as not boring as I can. Even though I know I won't succeed.

So I'm investigating changes in etiquette and social customs in general in the 20th century.

What I had so far is that I'll look at how etiquette affects and often constrains but also advances social/personal life.

I'll see the changes in interactions between the sexes, making sure to explain how they were once and how they are now. Social class is another big one. I'll try to compare the culture of the United States with that of other parts of the world, but going too far with that will get out of hand fairly quickly, I think. Not that I'm just being lazy. I'll think about and research sexuality too, as I think Jordyn recommended I do, and how the view of sexuality has changed. Another thing that came up in my discussion with Jordyn and Tazeen is superficiality and small talk. Other parts of the world (I forgot what country we talked about specifically... something with an H?) are not like the United States, with our hellos how-are-yous.

This should be interesting. As long as the books and other research material I find isn't boring. Boring information leads to a boring experience which doesn't make for a good final product. Which shouldn't be the main focus but I'm just saying...

My reading list so far:

21st Century Etiquette by Charlotte Ford

The Integration of Social Classes (Etiquette Books and Emotion Management in the 20th Century) Part 1 and Part 2 (Integration of the Sexes), which is apparently in the Journal of Social History

From Front Porch to Back Seat: Courtship in 20th Century America by Beth L. Bailey

Encyclopedia of Etiquette - A Book of Manners for Everyday Use by Emily Holt

LIFE: Century of Change: America in Pictures 1900-2000 by Tony Chiu (not exactly a book to read but probably very useful anyway)

Civility by some unknown author. Someone recommended this book and I found two, one published in 2002, the other in 1998... the person told me it was published maybe 20 years ago so I'm not sure which one it is. It's either Choosing Civility: The Twenty-five Rules of Considerate Conduct by P.M. Forni, or Civility by Stephen L. Carter.

Short History of Rudeness by Mark Caldwell

Talk To The Hand by Lynne Truss (seems like a great read, I read the first few pages on Amazon)