Emily Post:
She was born in Baltimore on October 3, 1872 where she was taught by governesses, private schools, and boarding schools. She published her book “Etiquette: In Society, In Business, In Politics and At Home” in 1922 and it became a bestseller which made Post’s name synonymous with good manners. In her personal life, she was fond of gardening, traveling (indeed, she wrote about her journeys abroad and within the country). |
Formal Tea:
According to Emily Post, a few common misconceptions follow. Do not hold your pinkie out, but balance the cup with your pinkie or thumb supporting the bottom of the china. After stirring your tea – which should NEVER clink and does best in an arch from 12 o’clock to 6 o’clock –, place the spoon back on your saucer. Furthermore, it is vital that you pour the milk after the tea, else you cannot judge the strength of the amount you put it. Also, servants, who used clay mugs unlike the fine china of the upper class, would put milk it to prevent cracking. Another hotly debated topic is tea drinking circles is the proper way to eat scones (pronounced like skon). Either place the cream on top of the jam (as the Cornish do) or allow it to seep into the biscuit (like a Devonian). Never cut into a scone, but daintly break it apart with your hands. The same goes for finger sandwiches – they are named after your digits for a reason. Formal Place Setting: Straight from the horse's mouth. |