Finishing School

From elegance and social graces to impropriety and indecent behavior.
Emily Post would not be pleased.

Manners and etiquette have become arts of the past and, at times, are even looked down upon in young society. I will not make the statement that all people in our culture disregard civility and chivalry. I come from a long line of Southern ladies whose hospitality and social graces are second to none. Unfortunately, even a scoundrel knows the persuasive power of manners. Social graces are performed for others around us. If we were never in the company of anyone, there would be no need for manners. The disappointing fact is that we live in an extremely self-centered culture. Has etiquette become an object for personal gain? Is the social grace card pulled out only when we're trying to impress?

The word "etiquette" can easily be replaced with "humility," and that is a lesson Christ lived out even to death on a cross. Are you and I willing to regard others and their comfort and ease higher than our own? I believe Christ would want us to.


"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Philippians 2:3-4

So where do we start to bring back the ideas of civility and chivalry? Young ladies in well-bred societies of the past were trained in what was known as a finishing school. Finishing schools were created to polish a young lady in etiquette and education. We've decided to add a virtual Finishing School at Silk and Purple! We'll be posting about etiquette and manners in future posts, but to begin, let's talk about...

Posture

Your posture says everything and more about you! Good posture is also very healthy for your body, so give it a try!

Step One: Think of lengthening your body and engaging your abdominal muscles.
Step Two: Take deeper breaths. A long, deep breath fills the diaphragm, automatically lifting the rib cage and upper body.

Step Three: Relax your shoulders; imagine someone pushing down on them.
Step Four: Elongate the neck.

Step Five: Wear suitable undergarments to help you achieve good posture.
(A quick way to check your posture is to vertically hold a pencil next to your ear -- it should line up with your shoulder.)

Try your best to keep good posture (especially in public) at all times. It will become a habit with a little practice :)