From The Art of Manliness

Editor’s Note: This excerpt is from Etiquette for Young Moderns, a book originally published in 1954 . While the advice is geared towards teens, it also applies to those older “children” who have moved back in with mom and dad!

“What are ‘at-home’ manners?” you may ask. “I’m not expected to jump out of my chair every time Mom goes through the room, am I — or to forgo the best part of my lamb chop when the rest of the family picks up the bones with their fingers?”

Of course not. But “informal” manners are quite different from no manners at all! Remember when, in the foreword of this book, etiquette is defined as “a way of showing that you’re thoughtful of the other fellow”? Well, at home, particularly, good manners are exactly that. The “veneer” side of courtesy counts for little; considerateness, cooperativeness, dependability, and a pleasant disposition are the “Big Four” contributions expected of you.

More specifically:… read more here