Ten of George Washington's Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation:
- Think before you Speak pronounce not imperfectly nor bring out your Words too hastily but orderly & distinctly.
- Take all Admonitions thankfully in what Time or Place Soever given but afterwards not being culpable take a Time & Place convenient to let him him know it that gave them.
- Superfluous Complements and all Affectation of Ceremony are to be avoided, yet where due they are not to be Neglected.
- Play not the Peacock, looking every where about you, to See if you be well Decked, if your Shoes fit well if your Stockings sit neatly, and Cloths handsomely.
- Associate yourself with Men of good Quality if you Esteem your own Reputation; for 'is better to be alone than in bad Company.
- Sleep not when others Speak, Sit not when others stand, Speak not when you Should hold your Peace, walk not on when others Stop.
- Read no Letters, Books, or Papers in Company but when there is a Necessity for the doing of it you must ask leave: come not near the Books or Writings of Another so as to read them unless desired or give your opinion of them unasked also look not nigh when another is writing a Letter.
- Do not laugh too loud or too much at any Public Spectacle.
- If others talk at the table, be attentive but talk not with meat in your mouth.
- Let your recreations be manful not sinful.
The season finale of Community has inspired me to spend much of my free time in recent days immersing myself Jeff/Annie fanfic and rewatching the episodes with good Jeff/Annie moments. MANFUL RECREATION FAIL.
Incidentally, the full list of Washington's rules can be found here.
