Never look over the shoulder of any one who is reading or writing, whether in the home, of in a car, or at a concert, or anywhere else.
Do not touch any one in order to arrest his attention, but address him.
To lend a borrowed article is an appropriation of it which is next to stealing, unless one has permission of the owner to do so.
Self-control in excitement of any sort is a most valuable trait. It always makes for comfort of one's self and of others, and often for safety.
Do not pass between two persons who are talking together, if avoidable. If it is not, then apologize.
Never refuse to receive an apology. Courtesy requires, no matter how unforgivable the offense, that an apology should be accepted. Friendship may not be restored, but friendly courtesy should always thereafter be maintained.
Never neglect to perform a commission which a friend intrusted to you. Forgetfulness denotes lack of regard for the friend.
Never fail to be punctual at the time appointed, in keeping every engagement.
To make yourself the hero of your own story, or to speak much of your own performances, denotes deep-seated self-conceit, and may be very distasteful to others, who also have achieved.
One's social obligations should never be neglected unless one is determined to drop out from one's place entirely. To acknowledge one invitation and not another is surely to be discredited with all.
Never question a child or a servant upon family matters.
Fulfill your promises,--or do not promise.
Deaf persons should be treated with special consideration. Act as though they could hear what is being said, yet without laying the burden of reply upon them, and without permitting it to be conspicuous in any way that they may have lost the drift of the talk. It is well to talk both louder and more expressively when they are present, but always more distinctly, and somewhat more slowly. Never shout at them, or attract their attention by touching them suddenly. This latter is not polite to any one, but the stronger impulse to do it in case of the deaf must be withstood. It is always better to come within the range of their vision before speaking to them.
A man should not seat himself at the dinner table until his wife or his hostess is seated. This rule holds good in the home, for if it is not practised there, it will not be observed gracefully in society.