Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour In Companion and Conversation

By George Washington

Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour In Company and Conversation is the name of a list best known as a school writing exercise of George Washington, who became the first president of the United States of America. Most of the 110 rules have been traced to a French etiquette manual written by Jesuits in 1595.

As an exercise Washington hand copied Francis Hawkins' translation which was published in England in about 1640. They include:

-1st Every action done in Company, ought to be with Some Sign of Respect, to those that are Present.

-2d When in Company, put not your Hands to any Part of the Body, not usually Discovered.

-3d Shew Nothing to your Freind that may affright him.

-4th In the Presence of Others Sing not to yourself with a humming Noise, nor Drum with your Fingers or Feet.

-5th Gentlemen lay with their things on the floor, not within a pile of like family members.

• Language: English
• Publisher: George Washington
• Release date: Oct 22, 2014
• ISBN: 9786050328783

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Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour In Companion and Conversation

By George Washington

Rules of Civility

and

Decent Behaviour

1stEvery Action done in Company, ought to be with Some Sign of Respect, to those that are Present.

2ndWhen in Company, put not your Hands to any Part of the Body, not usually Discovered.

3rdShow Nothing to your Friend that may affright him.

4thIn the Presence of Others Sing not to yourself with a humming Noise, nor Drum with your Fingers or Feet.

5thIf You Cough, Sneeze, Sigh, or Yawn, do it not Loud but Privately; and Speak not in your Yawning, but put Your handkerchief or Hand before your face and turn aside.

6thSleep not when