MetaFilter posts tagged with manners

The interesting history of the fork

daisyk — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 04:33:13 -0800

Medieval tines: A brief history of the fork. There are many further details in this Leite's Culinaria article, The Uncommon Origins of the Common Fork, linked in the post.

"Jumping the rope is not good exercise, for it jars the body too much"

The Whelk — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 08:50:33 -0800

Obsolessons: selected passages from the self-help and guide books of the past. [via mefi projects]

You have to have some manners, baby can't you see?

yellowbinder — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 21:19:11 -0800

Telephone Manners For Kids (SLYT WTF)

Bork bork bork.

Cold Lurkey — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 00:35:23 -0800

Dogs with table manners. Slow, surreal and delightful.

“Toro is junk food for low income earners.”

zarq — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:26:09 -0800

"The Japanese Tradition" was a series of nine short, parody "How To" videos that gently mocked the formality of Japanese culture, from comedy duo Rahmens (ラーメンズ) and Japan Culture Lab. They're available on DVD, but nearly all of them can be seen on YouTube, including Sushi and Ocha (tea). They're impeccable pastiches of cultural instruction videos -- How To guides to the correct use of chopsticks, paper-folding, sparring, the etiquette of family holidays, how to make rice balls, the way of tea, the rituals of apology, the eating of sushi and how to clap in time.
The Japanese Tradition 1. Sushi 2. Ocha / Tea 3. Dogeza / Apologizing (Also.) 4. Tejime 5. Origami 6. Hashi / Chopsticks 7. Rice Balls Similar series from Rahmens: * Love Relationships Part 1: Theory * Love Relationships Part 2: Theory * Love Relationships Part 3: Practice * Love Relationships Part 4: Practice Rahmens were also responsible for the Japanese versions of Apple's "Get A Mac" ads. "The Japanese ad scripts are almost unrecognisable, because bragging about your strengths is considered stupid and rude. Instead, the Mac shows class by remaining sophisticated, humble and controlled in the face of the PC’s increasing overconfidence and excitement. The punch lines, it’s safe to say, are lost in translation."
1. Nicknames 2. iLife 3. Viruses 4. Nengajo - New Year's Cards 5. Pie Chart 6. Restart 7. Security 8. Steps 9. Microsoft Office 10. Home Movie 11. Artist 12. Bloated

The Seat Monopolizer

griphus — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 09:43:49 -0800

The three annoying train monsters shown in the poster are Nesshii (the sleeping monster), Asshii (the leg-crossing monster), and Shinbunshii (the newspaper-reading monster). Tokyo Subway Manner Posters, '76-'82

old school etiquette

lalex — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:10:32 -0800

"To you, my friends, whose identity in these pages is veiled in fictional disguise, it is but fitting that I dedicate this book." Old school etiquette from the inimitable Emily Post and others. Etiquette for Americans, by "A Woman of Fashion". The Etiquette of New York To-Day, by Mrs. Frank Learned. Encyclopaedia of Etiquette, by Emily Holt. The Secret of a Happy Home, by Marion Harland. Harland also wrote a generously annotated cookbook which includes many delightful bon mots: "Pork fat and pies kill more people yearly in the States than do liquor and tobacco," said a popular lecturer upon conservatism. Perhaps so; but I incline to the belief that bad pastry is answerable for a vast majority of the murders.

U.S. Customs - in your face

stinkycheese — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 16:52:39 -0800

What has long been touted as the world's longest undefended border (that running between Canada and the United States) has undergone many changes since 9/11. In an effort to secure its Northern border, the U.S. now employs Predator drones, Blackhawk helicopter patrols, high speed boats, and Google searches. There may even be a big fence in our future. More troubling still are increased demands for information on Canadian citizens, and increased searching powers of U.S. border guards. And don't ask them to say please either.

The Manners Manifesto

feelinglistless — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 15:21:59 -0800

The Manners Manifesto For example: "(11) Talk to people at the check-out. You don't have to say much. God, even something inane like, "Busy in here, today, isn't it?" or "Not as busy as usual in here, today, is it?" might put us on the road to peace in the Middle East. Carrying on grumping around and spreading those grump vibes certainly isn't going to help."

"My humble efforts to assist in the elucidation of the social condition of a distant and comparatively unknown race."

goodnewsfortheinsane — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 11:34:54 -0800

Sketches of Japanese Manners and Customs (1867).

You Cheer, You Lose Your Diploma

ThePinkSuperhero — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 08:16:35 -0800

5 students were barred from receiving copies of their diplomas (NYTimes Link) at the Galesburg High School graduation, after friends and family members cheered when their names were read. Good luck to future graduates to keep Nana and Aunt Bertha in check.

What Would Grandma Do?

amyms — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 12:59:58 -0800

Miss Abigail's Time Warp Advice. Miss Abigail dispenses wisdom from her collection of vintage advice books (published from 1822 to 1978). Topics include Minding Your Manners, Looking And Feeling Good, Around The House, Frank Talk About Petting, and much more. The advice ranges from the very useful to the hilariously quaint, with some unenlightened shockers thrown in for good measure.

A Guide to Proper Sneezing

graventy — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 20:40:26 -0800

Why Don't We Do It In Our Sleeves? A short instructional video.

Transplant surgeons are exempt from this rule.

kyleg — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 15:44:04 -0800

How to use a cellphone without looking like an asshole. Or maybe you need a primer on ordering wine instead. Once again, Waiter has you covered.

Are you too loud? Or is it your suit?

terrymiles — Sun, 16 Apr 2006 12:59:02 -0800

Speak softly, don't argue and slow down' The reputation of the "Ugly American" abroad is not..... just some cruel stereotype, but - according to the American government itself - worryingly accurate. Now, the State Department has joined forces with American industry to plan an image make-over by issuing guides for Americans travelling overseas on how to behave.

Your most obedient servant

blahblahblah — Mon, 07 Nov 2005 22:49:46 -0800

When you write a letter to the Pope, be sure to end it: I have the honor to remain Your Holiness's obedient servant, but for a Cardinal, simply use: Yours very truly. And remember that Emperors are addressed Your dignified Majesty while Kings are just called Your Majesty. Titles can be quite fascinating, for example, Queen Elizabeth is also an official Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Gynecologists and is an Honorary Bachelor of Music at the University of Wales. Even if you don't have those impressive titles, you can definitely find one for you in the giant Dictionary of Occupational Titles (largish html file - my personal favorite is "Fancy packer"); or just go for some obsolete job titles.

Let your carriage be such as becomes a man grave

nthdegx — Mon, 12 Sep 2005 02:57:26 -0800

"Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience." George Washington's Rules of Civility.

Business Card Etiquette

KevinSkomsvold — Fri, 22 Apr 2005 11:14:43 -0800

Business Card Etiquette. Do not play or fiddle with people's business cards - treat them with respect. A Western businessman once famously lost a big deal for picking his teeth with one of his colleagues' business cards, and was never given the opportunity to do business with the company again. (more inside).

A game of excruciatingly correct 19th century Victorian behavior.

Lush — Sun, 06 Mar 2005 08:32:45 -0800

Mind Your Manners! Put your knowledge of excruciatingly correct behavior to the test: "Adopt the role of a late 19th century character and try to earn your place in a world where every move is governed by the rules of etiquette." Certainly antiquated but amusing nonetheless.

Etiquette Hell

livingsanctuary — Wed, 26 Jan 2005 20:18:01 -0800

Etiquette Hell For those who throw good manners, common decency, and proper etiquette to the wind, here is a website collecting stories about social gaffes that are often hilarious.

Grass Greener, People Meaner?

mcgraw — Tue, 30 Mar 2004 11:17:10 -0800

While the world has been “getting greener” during the past 25 yrs, human courtesy and civility have been “changing for the worse.”

Properness and Politeness done goth style

starscream — Fri, 28 Nov 2003 01:27:19 -0800

Gothic Miss Manners : advice from a Gothic perspective.

The Extraordinary Variations In Manners, Customs And Habits Around The World

MiguelCardoso — Thu, 03 Apr 2003 04:11:47 -0800

Be Careful Out There: Your Etiquette May Be My Nyetiquette Oh behave! We've all made faux pas, gaffes and complete asses of ourselves when dealing with foreign cultures. Travelling abroad isn't even necessary - a simple sushi meal is fertile ground for a vast panoply of unintended rudeness. While not even the most experienced traveller can insulate himself or herself completely from ocasionally shocking, disgusting or insulting his or her hosts, here is a little something worth keeping in your laptop. Some cultures are more difficult than others but I'll bet we all have our own embarrassing etiquette bloopers, right?

ColdChef — Tue, 12 Mar 2002 06:53:03 -0800

If you would, please, I'd like to politely invite you to consider The Decay Of Manners: "We rush through life in such a hurry these days, that there is little or no time or thought for the refinements and courtesies that in the good old days of our grandparents were considered necessary to good manners." Minnetonka Record, November 21, 1902. Thank you very much for your time.