Screams with Maxine...

[Audrey]

While my mother was recuperating from bypass surgery I went through (under her direction) some of her old papers....

Among them were letters from her grandmother sent to her when she first got married. They were filled with "wonderful advice" as to how my mother should plan to behave... We hooted with laughter at some of them.... Here are a few I can remember..

1)- Never allow a man to appear before you unclothed, whether he be a servant, your husband or a native from some strange land.

2)- It is best to ignore the outbursts of servants. It is there lack of breeding and training that make them so emotional.

3)- You must NEVER be photographed inserting food into your mouth, chewing or swallowing.

4)- A lady does not "move about" under her clothing. (girdles and bra time)

5)- You must eat whatever is offered to you. A lady would never offend her hostess by showing displeasure for her offerings.

6)- No lady rests while her country is at war. Your servants and children will look to you for example.

She did say she did not follow all of them but she would not be specific as to which ones she obeyed or ignored!

[theebmonique]

Those are great Audrey...thanks for sharing !


Tracy...

[lydiapinkham]

Auds, that list is priceless! Never being being photographed while eating is a rule that definitely holds up today! I am puzzling over all the undressed servants and foreigners, though. Did women of her day have hitherto undisclosed opportunities? (Maybe Lady Chatterly had started something.) I also love the castiron rule against "moving about". Aren't you glad we are permitted to breathe a bit now?

--Lyddie