Kegmenistani Etiquette
Etiquette is of great importance within Kegmenistani society. What follows are some examples of traditional customs and traditions from "A Guide to Etiquette".
Everyday Etiquette
Street Etiquette
Writing on a wall, sitting on the floor, or throwing things onto the floor are glaring vulgarities.
Cursing or discussing "inappropriate" or "impolite" subjects is a social taboo.
It is impolite to spit in public.
Appropriate Etiquette Whilst Shopping
In visiting a store for the purpose of examining the goods or making purchases, conduct yourself with courtesy and amiability.
Never look over goods without any intention of buying them.
Speak to the clerks and employees of the store with courtesy and kindness. Do not order them to show you anything. Request them to do so in a polite manner. In leaving their counter, say pleasantly "Good morning" or "Good Day".
Never take a costly piece of goods -- nor any piece -- into a better light without first asking the clerk's permission to do so.
Should you find another person examining a piece of goods, do not take hold of it. Wait until it is laid down, and then make your examination.
To attempt to "beat down" the price of an article is rude. In the best conducted stores the price of the goods is "fixed", and the salesmen are not allowed to change it. If the price does not suit you, you are not obliged to buy, but can go elsewhere.
Pushing or crowding at a counter, or the indulgence in personal remarks, handling the goods in a careless manner, or so roughly as to injure them, lounging upon the counter, or talking in a loud voice, are marks of bad breeding.
Never let the door of a shop slam in the face of any person, nor permit a stranger to hold it open without any acknowledgement of courtesy.
Never express your opinion about an article another is purchasing, unless asked to do so.
You should never ask or expect a clerk waiting upon a customer to leave that person and attend to you. Wait patiently for your turn.
It is rude to make unfavorable comparisons between the goods you are examining, and those of another store.
Conversational Etiquette
A loud tone of voice in conversation is to be avoided, as well as loud laughter. Both are considered vulgar in the extreme.
At the same time, speaking in a whisper, particularly for the purpose of excluding others from a conversation or a confidential aside, is exceptionally rude. If there are matters which must be communicated privately, there is almost always a better time and place to do so than while in the company of more than just the two who are communicating privately.
It is considered impolite for a person to address another by first name when in public.
Personal or private matters should never be discussed on the street or in public gatherings.
Controversy and confrontation should be avoided in conversation.
Not every spoken wrong or inaccuracy requires that you address it and set it right. While doing so may make you perfectly right or appear to be perfectly knowledgeable on a subject, it also reveals you to be perfectly petty and boorish.
Always refrain from explaining any expression or word you may use unless asked to do so.
Unless a gathering is political or religious in nature, it is considered impolite to introduce the topics of religion or politics.
Avoid the use of slang terms and phrases in polite company. Those terms belong to bar-rooms and other low places. In the same vein, by all means should you avoid the vulgar habit of joking at the expense of women.
Hosting an Afternoon tea or Evening Reception
The day and hour of an afternoon tea may be written on a visiting card. For an afternoon reception, an "At Home" card is used.
Only simple refreshment should be served at an afternoon tea. Thin slices of bread and butter, sandwiches, fancy biscuits or cake, tea, coffee, or chocolate, ice-cream and bouillon. Punch and lemonade may also be served, but no wine or alcoholic drinks.
The hostess should shake hands with her guests and receive them cordially; any formality is out of place on an informal occasion.
Hosting a Dinner Party
The table-cloth should be of the finest quality.
Furniture and other room decor should be arranged in such a manner that it will not interfere with the guests' view of one another. A low dish of flowers with light to no fragrance is the preferred centerpiece.
Never make an ostentatious display of wealth.
At a large dinner, a card bearing the name of the guest should be laid beside each plate.
Each place setting should include a plate, two large knives, a small knife and fork for fish, three large forks, a tablespoon for soup, a small oyster-fork for raw oysters and a water goblet.
The knives and oyster fork should be placed on the right side of the plate, the other forks on the left.
Bread should be cut in thin slices, and laid on a napkin on the left of each plate. Place glasses at the right of each plate.
Commence dinner with raw oysters, then a choice of one or two soups. Follow the soup with fish, then the meat entree and the salad last. Cheese, bread and butter may be served with the salad course. Then comes dessert and/or fruits and bonbons. Coffee can be served in the drawing room or the parlor.
No more than two vegetables should be served with each entree and potatoes should not be offered with fish.
