Perfect Behavior. A guide for Ladies and Gentlemen in all Social Crises:

by Donald Ogden Stewart

Perfect Behavior is a classic lighthearted parody of social etiquette manuals; its chapters demonstrate plenty of ways not to behave in or toward polite company.



First published in 1922, Perfect Behavior was conceived by author Donald Ogden Stewart as a response to the frequent publication of guides on etiquette and conduct. Determined to produce a comprehensive send-up of these ceaseless manuals, Ralph Stewart paired with illustrator Ralph Barton and created this book.



This edition of Perfect Behavior contains all of Ralph Barton's thirty-plus original illustrations, lending the text a further layer of humor. Various social crises we are instructed on coping with include music concerts, weddings and engagements, and the sensitive matter of inviting guests to an event. An aspect of social history is present too: 'dry agents', a colloquial term for those policing the USA's prohibition of alcohol, receive their own chapter.



The author would go on to write some of the greatest comedies in Hollywood's Golden Era, infusing sophistication and wit into his screenplays and characters. This book, published when Stewart was a young man of twenty-eight, underlined his promise in the nascent world of popular humor writing.

Genres: Humor, Classics, Self Help, Nonfiction, Essays

131 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1922

About the author

Donald Ogden Stewart was an American author and screenwriter, best known for his sophisticated golden era comedies and melodramas, such as The Philadelphia Story (based on the play by Philip Barry), Tarnished Lady, and Love Affair. Stewart worked with a number of the great directors of his time, including George Cukor (a frequent collaborator), Michael Curtiz and Ernst Lubitsch. Stewart was also a member of the Algonquin Round Table, and the model for Bill Gorton in The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway. His 1922 parody on etiquette, Perfect Behavior was a favorite book of P. G. Wodehouse.

Reviews

[Michele Cacano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in 1922 by the man who penned my favorite film, The Philadelphia Story, this parody of etiquette books did not disappoint. Obviously, much of what is being parodied is now antiquated, but with my slightly-more-than-passing familiarity with the era, I felt sufficiently informed to be entertained.

I laughed out loud quite a bit, particularly while reading the etiquette sections for travel and opera/theatre.

Stewart has a morbid sense of humor and sarcastically dry wit that is right up my alley.

[Modbon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only thing funnier than 1920s etiquette books are parodies of 1920s etiquette books written by someone as witty and wicked as Donald Ogden Stewart. Mainly known for his screenwriting (Holiday, The Philadephia Story), Stewart also made quite a name for himself as a parodist, first with The Parody Outline of American History, and then with this delightful little book that spoofs Jazz Age behavior. Seek it out.

[Spencer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This small book is a parody on early 1920s etiquette and manners. It was easy to imagine it written by the comedy team at Monty Python. It's irreverent and at times sophomoric. It was pleasing to read how many problems of our social intercourse have not changed much in nearly 100 years. Although changes in technology have eliminated some of the problematic situations of the past—train and auto travel—other situational problems have been created by technology—Facebook and cell phones.

[Susan Molloy · Rating 4 out of 5]

🖋️ Hilariously funny parody on etiquette! I brought my review down by one star for the cursing here and there. The Project Gutenberg e-book version has the delightful original illustrations, while the Kindle version does not (of course). The author, Donald Ogden Stewart is a noted screenwriter for such movies as "Dinner at Eight," "The Sun Also Rises," and "The Philidelphia Story," among others.

📙Published in 1922.

🟢The e-book version can be found at Project Gutenberg.
🟣 Kindle.

🔲 Excerpts of note:

🔹A severe looking old lady then enters the room. You rise and bow. "I am Miss Doe's grandmother. Some one [sic] has been smoking in here," she says, and sits down opposite you. Her remark is not, however, a hint for a cigaret [sic] and you should not make the mistake of saying, "I've only got Fatimas, but if you care to try one—" It should be your aim to seek to impress.

🔸(At the opera) As soon as the music starts, all your attention should be directed toward discovering someone who is making a noise—whispering or coughing; having once located such a creature, you should immediately "sh-sh" him. Should he continue the offence, a severe frown must accompany the next "sh-sh," a lorgnette—if available—adding great effectiveness to the rebuke. This will win you the gratitude of your neighbors and serve to establish your position socially, as well as musically—for perfect "sh-shers" do not come from the lower classes.

🔹"Bridge whist," or "Bridge," as it is often called by the younger generation, is rapidly replacing whist as the favorite card game of good society, and "bridge" parties are much en vogue for both afternoon and evening entertainments.

🔸When introducing a young lady to a stranger for example, it is not au fait (correct form) to simply say, "Mr. Roe, I want you to shake hands with my friend Dorothy." Under the rules of the beau monde (correct form) this would probably be done as follows: "Dorothy (or Miss Doe), shake hands with Mr. Roe."

●▬●🔷●🔷●▬●

[Julie Bihn]

A satirical etiquette guide, so over-the-top that sometimes it's challenging to find out what 1920s norm is being poked fun of. There are some funny moments but it also gets rather dark by the end. Free at Project Gutenberg.

[Mary Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny stuff.