So this is how they enforced good manners back in the day. In 1898, a ‘how to’ of good manners was issued to Australian schools. It was called the ‘Good Manners chart’ and aimed to teach children how to properly behave. The rules covered personal conduct at home, at school, at play, in the street, at the table and general courtesy. The chart was placed in classrooms and as part of the lessons in manners, teachers would run through the rules and the children would repeat each one several times.
As I read through each of the “rules” a few minutes ago, I got a little nostalgic for old fashioned good manners. I then realised that there’s nothing “old fashioned’ about them at all. Every one listed on the chart is still so relevant and beautiful. Here are a few of my favourites from the chart:
- Be honest, truthful and pure.
- Do not be selfish, but share all your good things.
- Be pleasant and not quarrelsome.
- Never let another be punished in mistake for yourself; this is cowardly and mean.
- Do not throw orange skins or banana peel on the pavement; dangerous accidents often result from these practices.
The chart ends with “Always do to others as you would wish them to do to you if you were in their place” which received a makeover in 1989 thanks to Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, ie: “Be excellent to each other”.
Read the complete chart for yourself here. I was thinking I ought to print this out and carry it around in my back pocket. It was written more than a century ago but, as they say, manners never go outta style.
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