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Lucky me (not)! Aunt Rebecca has gone to a lot of trouble to copy down a few rules for ladies, in case my mother has been remiss in educating me in “proper” behavior.
Have I any hope of following these rules, or will I constantly be in trouble when Aunt Rebecca comes to call? (And which rules do you think apply to the 21st century?)
My Dear Niece,
I take pen in hand to leave a list of rules you will find most beneficial to refining some of your impetuous ways. I’m sure your mother would agreed. So, without further ado, please remember to always . . .
- Wear gloves on the street, in church, or in other formal occasions, except when eating or drinking.
- Graciously accept gentlemanly offers of assistance.
- Stand up when an elderly person or dignitary enters the room, comes within your presence, or stands.
- Remember that silence is golden.
- Speak graciously and gently (no matter your true feelings).
- Assume the best in any situation
- Practice the art of conversation
- Stand and sit properly; good posture is essential.
- Be in good taste.
- Make others feel welcome in your presence.
- Be gentle and patient.
There are certain things you must never do. Some that come to mind include:·
- Do not speak in a loud, coarse voice (never shout or yell).
- Do not call someone by their first name in public.
- Do not lift your skirt higher than absolutely necessary to go up stairs.
- Never sit with your legs crossed except at the ankles, if necessary for comfort.
- Do not lift your skirts up onto a seat, stool, or chair. Instead, wait for assistance when sitting down at a table or chair, especially if it is small or light.
- Do not participate in any games which would result in you being kissed or handled in any way.
- If a hand approaches a bit of jewelry, step back and unpin it for inspection.
- Never speak or act in anger.
- Do not boast or brag.
- Do not remove your gloves when making a formal visit.
- Do not be nosy or overly inquisitive.
- Do not meddle or tell tales.
- Never stare around a room when visiting, or walk about examining the furnishing unless invited to do so.
Andrea, remember that a true lady will go quietly and unobtrusively about her business when on the street, never seeking to attract the attention of the opposite sex, at the same time recognizing acquaintances with a courteous bow, and friends with pleasant words of greeting. I’m leaving you with this likeness of my dear friend, Mrs. Preston’s granddaughter, who is just your age, thirteen. You would do well to emulate her. I have also left a pair of gloves on your bureau, and Mrs. Preston lent me her daughter, Annaliese’s, hat. This should keep that California sun out of your eyes. Wear both of the articles, please. P.S. Perhaps you and Annaliese can make meet the next time you are visiting the city.
Love, Aunt Rebeca
After reading this list, I wondered why Auntie never wrote any rules for my brothers. asked the other day, and guess what! Chad said Aunt Rebecca had plenty of rules for them too. He handed me the list on yellowed paper. Stay tuned for her “Rules for Gentlemen.”
Note from Mrs. M. Who would like to write a story about Andi and Annaliese meeting for the first time in San Francisco?
Andi Carter's Blog 
Wow! Poor Andi! I’m glad I wasn’t around back then!
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Good grief! Poor Andi. Some of the common courtesy rules are applicable today but I am glad I didn’t live back then. If Aunt Rebecca could catch a glimpse of things are now, she would probably have a fit–or maybe not. It might not be lady like and heaven forbid, that Aunt Rebecca would never be anything except a lady. Looking forward to the rules for gentlemen.
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I would love to write a story about her and Andi meeting. Is this going to be a contest or just free write whatever?
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Good thing I didn’t live in Andi’s day and time. I’m not the most ladylike.
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Hmmm, not sure. What do you think? Do you just want to write it, and if others do too I could post all of the versions. 🤩
I would make a new, separate post for something like that.
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SO glad I didn’t live back then!! Some of those rules make sense but so many!! Looking forward to the ‘rules for gentlemen!
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I would like to write a story about them meeting!!
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Mrs. Marlow do you have any tips for how to write the beginning of a story? I have ideas about what will happen.. but I just don’t know how to start the beginning..
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There will be a writing tip about that sometime. 👌
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That would be fun to write, I might give it a go, but at the moment I am working on another fan fiction story. 🙂
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Is there a word limit for fan fiction story’s?😊
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Yes. Try to keep it under 3,500 words please. Or…. Break the story up in parts…..
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Ok! Thank you so much!!! 🙂
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Glad I didn’t live back then there’s so many rules for being a lady I would never remember them all.
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Boy! That’s an awful lot of rules! I doubt I’d ever be able to remember them all!
I pity you, Andi
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Was there ever a story written about Andi meeting Annaliese? 🙂
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Who is Annaliese?
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Its in the note from Aunt Rebecca to Andi and she talks about her friends daughter (this is from this post above (I’m leaving you with this likeness of my dear friend, Mrs. Preston’s granddaughter, who is just your age, thirteen. You would do well to emulate her. I have also left a pair of gloves on your bureau, and Mrs. Preston lent me her daughter, Annaliese’s, hat. This should keep that California sun out of your eyes. Wear both of the articles, please. P.S. Perhaps you and Annaliese can make meet the next time you are visiting the city.)
Than below you added this –
‘Note from Mrs. M. Who would like to write a story about Andi and Annaliese meeting for the first time in San Francisco?’
Sooooo I thought it might be fun to write a story about them meeting! Was there ever a story written about it?
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Well, oops! That is I who wrote that. I just made it up. Yes, please write a story about it! 😉
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Okay. Yes! Do it and I will reference this note/post.
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Alright! Awesome! ty! 🙂
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Oops, Sara. It was me that wrote that, not a fan. I thought you were referring to a fan story. I forgot all about this post.
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Alrightly!
I can still write it if you want?
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Please do!
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Would Annaliese’s last name be Peston? Since she is Mrs. Preston’s granddaughter or would it be something different or should I just make one up? 🙂
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Oops, not Peston, its Preston! lol
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Whatever you want
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Currently writing the story! I was wondering if I might be able to enter it for the current contest? annual.
Not %100 sure if I will yet but I thought I should see what you think first! 🙂
Btw, the story is very, lets just say interesting! LOL
-Sara
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Of course you may enter it, so long as there is some kind of connection to the main characters so the judges don’t think it is just a random story.
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Thank you!! I am considering it!
It already has Andi in it, and since she has to act like a ‘proper lady’ who knows what can happen!! LOL! 🙂
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Sounds fun!!
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