Thursday 27 May 2010

Sign plates



This is a photo of one of the sign plates that I have made (produced by Exilco).
The sign plates are designed to be placed in public areas, such as park, street and underground.

T-shirt




This is a t-shirt with the print I designed. This is another way to convey the message about etiquette and manners. The t-shirt is designed to be fashionable and casual that people will be interested to buy it or wear it. It can effectively spread the message or attract the people to aware of their manners by looking at the print, directly and indirectly. (in this print - it leads the public to pay attention to the loudness of their headphones)

Focus on "YELLOW"




As part of the development, I have taken some photos illustrating the reason why I am using the yellow colour as the theme of my project.

Yellow is a bright and eye catching colour that can easily attract people's attention. As from the previous research, I admire the way of the use of sharp bright colour as a way to strengthen the message and attract the focus of the audience. In my study, the use of yellow is a very effective tool to get the attention of the public and fulfil the aim of increasing public awareness.

Besides, the yellow colour used in many places convey a very strong message as a "warning" signal. As etiquette and manners are norms that it is not enforced by written laws, the yellow signals can be very useful to remind the people to be aware of their manners/behaviour and warn them to be considerate in public.

End of the book


At the end of the book, I have put a monthly diary (year 2010) for the reader to keep trace of their life and behaviour. In a way, it is a very useful tool to make reflection of ourselves.

A radar chart is also included for reader to mark their level of etiquette and manners practise of different aspects/attributes (e.g. transport, table manners, smoking, etc) in the month. The graphical presentation can clearly show the extend of behaviour in each aspects for easier comparisons. (The radar chart is originally planned to be made as a poster. However, I think it is more applicable and effective to put in the book with the diary.)

The diary and radar chart aim to make the book more functional and handful.

Tuesday 2 February 2010

IPS development and approach to unit 11

I am still progressing to develop more images and designs and planning the layout of how to present the work that I have done, in approach to produce an effective, informative and graphical handbook on the topic.

Planned outcome for unit 11:

A1/A2: posters
Posters are characterised by its immdediate transmission of message which are accessible to a wide mass of audience. It can be placed everywhere in public, which can directly convey the message to the passersby. It is best approachable to all people. I would like to screen print the poster.

A4: Sign plate
I would like to put the logo designed into sign plates, like warning signs, to alert or remind the people to behave themselves. They can be placed at where suitable.


proposed use of material and form of the sign plate:
http://www.smalt.com/en/tin-metal-signs.php?gclid=CLKBu9y51p8CFVBd4wodYWSTbw


A5: Handbook for the 4 categories or more about etiquette and manners
I am still in progress designing the layout for the pages and trying out the best binding method.

A7: Flip book for 101 please don’ts
It will be accessible, portable, easy to read and understand.

I attempt to produce different outcomes which is effective, influential and interesting, so to approach the audience in various way; hopefully succeed to catch the attention of the public and provide them a practical understanding to etiquette and manners that they will appreciate.

Table manners

Another aspect that I have focused on is table manners. When you search through the web, you could find a lot of information about table manners as it is very important to be considered. It is etiquette about how to behave at the dining table.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2311331_practice-good-table-manners.html

Always be on time to the dinner table. Being late to dinner is not accepted in many cultures because it is considered to be rude. If you are late to dinner you may not have enough food to eat or there might be a spot for you at the table simply because you were late. However, things do happen and sometimes we have no choice but to be late. If you are late and can't help it, it's recommended that you call ahead so that the person fixing the dinner can make enough food for you and keep your spot at the table.

Avoid chewing or talking with food in your mouth. Chewing or talking with food in your mouth is a horrible display of manners. If you are having a family dinner it would be pretty rude to be talking with food in your mouth and have food come out of your mouth. Also, your dinner mates may not want to see what's being tossed around in your mouth. It is recommended that you wait until you swallow your food then say what you need to say.

Don't be obscene. Being obscene at the dinner table can cause your dinner mates to not want to eat around you anymore. You should practice shunning dinner obscenity by eliminating the following things: use of swearing words, arguing, making funny or ugly faces, and other common obscenities. If you are going to act in an obscene way, it is recommended that you excuse yourself from the dinner table, or wait until after dinner.







It is noticeable that different countries have different cultures and therefore table manners may vary. It would be interesting to study on the etiquette and manner of other places, in another means, to avoid any embarrassing or offensive situation when visiting.

I began by doing research focusing on Chinese dining etiquette as I am best familiar with it.





In my development, I tried to illustrate Chinese etiquette images with Chinese ink and wash painting style.








In Chinese, the character "禮" means manners/etiquette. It is a very crucial topic to learn about in Chinese tradition.

You can see that Chinese dining etiquette could be very different from that of British. For example, Chinese used to seat in a rounded table and has special seating order and customs.



From the above image, the line at the bottom is the door way, while the circle in red demonstrates the seat for the most important person of the group and should be sitting furthest away from the door.

More on public transport etiquette in London

http://www.ltmcollection.org/posters/themes/theme_sub.html?IXtoptheme=London transport system&IXthemeid=1.EX0?.V

Collection of posters on underground etiquette from london transport museum. This is interesting and inspiring to look at.












In these posters, they have some common features. A strong message is conveyed thorugh very simple graphics or images in addition with one or two eye-catching colours.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/11037.aspx
It is a very recent survey done by the Transport for London on public transport manners. In responding to the survey result, they therefore held a campaign aimed to improve Londoner's transport manners:

Whatever happened to manners?
AS travellers in the confines of public transport, are we less well-mannered than we used to be?
A survey last year for Transport for London (TfL) found that of 700 passengers questioned, 94 per cent had been annoyed by loud mobile phone conversations, 93 per cent by over-loud headphones and 82 per cent by pushing and shoving.
So a campaign to promote considerate travel, 'Together for London', was launched last year, and is now gathering pace.

Live discussion
In the latest phase, a Together for London website (www.togetherforlondon.org), includes live discussion pages for passengers to join the debate about improving Londoners' transport manners.
'The campaign is about encouraging Londoners to have a little more thought for each other as they travel,' said a TfL spokesperson.
'Passengers are talking about the everyday, irritating behaviours such as feet on seats and talking loudly on your mobile, which annoy other passengers and make journeys less than pleasant.

It is not about criminal behaviour which we of course take extremely seriously and address through policing and enforcement.'

Topics introduced on the website include being careful when turning around wearing a rucksack, covering your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough, trying not to spill food on the seats, and moving down inside the carriage.

It sounds like just basic good manners really, but some of the annoying behaviours on the website are more subtle.

Agreeable experience
Had you realised that reading your newspaper can invade the personal space of those around you as you turn the pages, arms stretched out wide?
Did you think about your fellow passengers as you lean against the grab-pole leaving others to hang on to thin air?
Thousands are having their say.

Ultimately the campaign aims to make travelling a more agreeable experience
For example, some older people have found using buses in the afternoons when schools come out a difficult experience.
This has put them off getting about by bus at this time of day.
A group of young people may not intend to be intimidating, but can be if they are behaving rowdily.

A little thought
With thousands of Londoners taking part, the campaign is already showing positive signs.
In a recent poll, 93 per cent of those questioned claimed that they have made room for others, 84 per cent said they are now more thoughtful, 80 per cent have given up a seat to someone who needed it, and 76 per cent have even spoken more quietly on their mobile.

Get involved by going to the Together for London website.
As the campaign says: 'A little thought from each of us, a big difference for everyone.'

http://www.togetherforlondon.org/
As mentioned above, the campaign 'together for london' is producing a series of posters/advertiements in responding to the feedback that the public have made.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A688232
Etiquette for travellers on the London underground

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A617168
Public tranpsort etiquette

http://victorian.fortunecity.com/finsbury/254/tuberules.html
Provide a very detail description on underground etiquette

General etiquette (in public/street)


There are posters about having control of your pet from excreting along the street.



There is some publication about manners, targeting children.


In responding to those noted in the 101 project, I have also drawn images for some general etiquette. I attempted to introduce some new characters of different roles, such as children, elderly and pets. This is to demonstrate etiquette is not only important for individual, but it could affect the majority and the whole society.

Have a look at this, it shows some sample of progress that I have made.

More on smoking manners

http://whatjapanthinks.com/2006/09/09/smoking-in-japan/

It is a survey done in Japan about smoking. There were questions about how they feel about smoking and whether they acquire any smoking manners.

Do you feel other people smoking is annoying? (Sample size=non smokers)
Always feel so 54.8%
Sometimes feel so 37.7%
Don’t really feel so 6.6%
Never feel so 1.0%

At your place of work, what sort of tobacco-related things make you feel unpleasant? (Sample size=821, multiple answer)
Smell of smokers 32.0%
Smoke and smell, etc, leaking into the workplace from the smoking room 29.8%
Smoking room has not been set up 18.2%
Workplace is not non-smoking 11.9%
Regardless of the workplace being non-smoking, colleagues light up after hours, etc 10.5%
Other 3.5%
Don’t feel any particular unpleasantness 35.8%

What smoking manners or points of etiquette do you follow? (Sample size=2,395, current smokers, multiple answer)
Don’t throw away cigarette ends 72.9%
Don’t smoke whilst walking 59.4%
Don’t smoke outside designated areas 49.4%
Carry a portable ashtray 47.5%
Ask non-smokers if it’s OK before lighting up 46.0%
Don’t smoke near non-smokers 28.6%
Other 2.8%
Don’t know 4.9%

What were the reasons behind you starting your smoking manners or etiquette? (Sample size=2,278, smokers with manners, multiple answer)
Saw other smokers’ bad manners 38.3%
Non-smoking areas increased 33.1%
Felt people glaring at me 18.8%
Print or television advertisements 13.2%
Friends or family alerted me 7.9%
Television, other than advertisement 7.4%
Followed advice from the Health Promotion Law 5.9%
Newspaper or magazine, other than advertisement 4.8%
After causing trouble with my smoking 3.8%
Other 11.2%
Don’t know 2.5%
Nothing in particular 26.0%




Obviously, most non-smokers think other people smoking is annoying. To be a responsible smoker, they should consider their smoking etiquette and try to avoid affecting others. The result also showed that advertisements have moderate effect to the smokers about concern for smoking manners.



I think in UK or any other placaes, there is a need to raise the concern for smoking etiquette. Although there are laws to prohibit smoking in some places, but smokers should still pay attention to their smoking manners. There were very few ads in the UK to educate correct smoking behaviour. Therefore, I would like to produce some persuasive signs about how to be a responsible smokers.

Further development for the outcome of IPS

After having some ideas of producing some warning sign images for manners on public transport, I decided to observe etiquette and manners from some other aspects and develop on them.

From Etiquette by Emily Post, I realised that smoking is also an important issue to be concerned. Although the status of smoking have changed a lot from older times, I think it is an interesting category to investigate and pay attention to. So I have done research specifically on smoking manners.

http://otal.umd.edu/~vg/amst205.S97/vj05/se.html


In the 1930's and 40's a much larger portion of the population smoked than does today. For this reason smoking was much more socially accepted. Whereas today smokers are constantly being looked down upon and accused of harming others with their second hand smoke, in the past it was not considered polite to object to anothers smoking habits. In the 1990's it might be considered bad etiquette to smoke in the home of a non-smoker, but back then hosts were expected to supply ashtrays and even cigarettes or cigars for all of their guests. Smoking was also much more accepted in public places such as stores, and restaurants. As Emily Post put it, "those who smoke outnumber those who do not by a hundred to one ... [so] they ... must learn to adapt themselves to existing conditions ... and when they come into contact with smokers, it is scarcely fair that the few should be allowed to prohibit the many from the pursuit of their comforts and their pleasures (Post 37)."

Only the most inconsiderate things a smoker could do were considered bad etiquette during the 30's and 40's. When at another person's home this included putting a cigar or cigarette out on something that might be damaged, setting one down somewhere and letting it burn, causing a burn hole in any other way, or ashing in the wrong place (such as a plant). Conversely it was expected that any good host or hostess would provide a plethora of ashtrays for their guests. It was only considered bad manners to smoke at a host's dinner table if the host did not light up first. In fact most people provided matches and cigarettes at every place setting when they entertained guests for dinner. Similarly a sickroom visitor would be considered rude if he or she smoked unless the patient suggests it or is smoking theirself. Other good smoking manners included not entering a host or hostess' room with an already lighted cigarette, as well as not answering the door for guests with one. The only other rules of smoking etiquette were common courtesies such as not blowing smoke into the face of someone who isn't smoking and making sure to immediately return a borrowed book of matches. Today smokers are constantly forced to check for no smoking signs or ask another's permission to light up, but during the 30's and 40's it was a smoker's world and the habit was accepted in almost any situation and setting.


http://www.ehow.com/how_2295507_use-proper-etiquette-smoking.html


Light your cigarette away from others. When you light your cigarette, hold your cigarette in a direction away from those around you, cover it and puff lightly to get the cigarette lit. This keeps smoke from blowing toward others.

Watch where you ash your cigarette butts. The polite way to ash a cigarette is to rest your cigarette on an ash tray and allow the ashes to fall off by themselves. Tapping your cigarette butts off your cigarette is viewed as rude.

Puff the cigarette. When you're in public, the polite way to smoke a cigarette is to gently puff on it.

Relax and enjoy your cigarette. Taking your time while smoking your cigarette is viewed as polite. If you appear rushed and in a hurry to finish your cigarette, that is rude behavior.

Monitor the reactions of those around you when smoking. Blow your exhalation smoke away from the group you are with. If you notice someone disturbed by your cigarette smoke, apologize and either put out your cigarette or move the cigarette and the ashes farther away from the group.


In developing the images, I attempted to develop them in other grid size, keeping the style used in the previous.

Here are some of the samples that I have done.


10x10x10 (summer project)

Inspired by the posters and images researched, I started to develop graphics in a 10 by 10 grid. Simple graphics were drawn with the use of bright yellow colours, like a warning signal, to generate an alerting effect to attract the attention of the audience.

I start off by focusing on manners in public transport, with support to the research that I have done:

http://www.ehow.com/how_5469206_practice-good-etiquette-public-transportation.html


Talking. Loud talking on public transportation is ill-mannered and offensive. Never shout or talk so loud it disturbs other passengers.

Cellphones. Place the cellphone on vibrate. No one likes hearing several cellphones ringing in unison while commuting on public transportation. This is disturbing to passengers and the driver.

Music. Commuters who like to listen to music during their ride on
public transportation should wear headphones. Don't assault the people around you with loud music. This is poor etiquette and rude. Not everyone shares the same musical taste as you do! And many might find the music offensive.

Smoking. Signs all around point out no smoking is allowed on public transportation but a few offenders ignore this law. Respect other commuters/riders by waiting until the end of the ride to smoke a cigarette.

Food. Public transportation is not the place to chow down on a hamburger and guzzle a beer. It is against the rules and very offensive to others. Plus, food and drink might easily spill over on fellow riders causing a hazardous situation.

Seniors/Disabled. The seats near the front of the bus are designated for seniors and the disabled. Don't plop down in these seats. Find another available seat.

Common Courtesy. This is especially for the young men out there. Common courtesy seems to be a part of a bygone era but if you see an elderly person, or pregnant woman, offer them your seat. This is just plain old fashioned common courtesy and the person probably would greatly appreciate such a gracious move.


In the logo, two main characters were created:
- the one in white is performing bad manners
- the one/ones in shade is/are known as the invisible man, being neglected by the guy with bad manners



The message is conveyed by the activity performed by the two characters.



10 signs with each illustrating different manners focusing on public transport were developed.

Hopefully, I could move on and make progress by starting off with drawing these images.

Start off by 101 (summer project)

After researching on the topic, I have a well understanding of etiquette and manners. In my development for unit 10, I first narrowed down the information into a list of "101 Please do not s" as an initial guide about common etiquette that people should know, as my summer project.

I have sorted out the most common and general ones and put them together to produce a list (101) of “please do not …” points about some common etiquette and manners that we should be aware of and to behave ourselves. It is concise, easy to read and understand for children, teens and adults. It is quite interesting or surprising that there could be a number of etiquette that you have not noticed before.



I planned to produce it into a small portable guide that people can bring along with them anytime anywhere to remind themselves or share with others.

Research: video clip


This is a very classic, old video clip about how to have good manners. This revealed the social history about manners and etiquette.


This is a TV advert about etiquette produced by the Shanghai media. It demonstrated the importance of good manners and respect as to create a harmony society. I think it is a very heart touching, effective and impressive ad.


This is an ad from kfc, which is being banned. The ad is banned due to the negative message conveyed to the audience. In the clip, the people are talking with their mouth full which is a kind of bad dining manners and should not be promoted.




Do you eat on the bus or play your music loudly on the train? Transport for London is launching a campaign to make us more considerate passengers. Watch the short film by Oscar-nominated British director, Mike Figgis.

Research: Images

From my research, I realised that most information about etiquette and manners are lengthy of words from books or guides, and there is a leak of practical introduction to the topic from other approach to the public. Therefore, I would like to transform the text into visual language (graphic display), which purposed to attract and motivate the public to pay attention to manners.

In the first place, I have been trying to browse through the internet and search for poster designs that advertise on etiquette and manners. They are usually about manners in train and public transport, and they are mosly produced from Japan.



















I think they are very friendly to people of all ages. In my own opinion, the design is very successful as it is very attractive and eye catching.







The posters shown above is very different to that in the previous. The one with a red light warning is the most inspiring to me. I am really attracted by the red at my first glance. The use of red colour symbolizes the red lights and blood at the same time. Simply the use of a single bright colour produces a very eye catching design and can convey a very strong warning message.

The other three posters are quite similar. Simply a short text statement (with the use of a specific typeface)on a bright coloured background, or vice versa, can generate a very direct and effective result.

I quite like the friendly style used in the poster from Japan as well as the style of simple colouring, typeface and design in the latter ones. Therefore, I combined some features of both type of the posters and create a design of my own.

Research: Internet

http://www.emilypost.com/index.htm




Emily Post—the most trusted name in etiquette—has always been there to help people navigate every conceivable social situation. The tradition continues with this 100 percent revised and updated edition, which covers the formal, the traditional, the contemporary, and the casual.

The Emily Post Institute, created by Emily in 1946 and run today by third generation family members, serves as a "civility barometer" for American society and continues Emily's work. That work has grown to address the societal concerns of the 21st century including business etiquette, raising polite children and civility in America.

Emily Post's Etiquette, 17th Edition also remains the definitive source for timeless advice on entertaining, social protocol, table manners, guidelines for religious ceremonies, expressing condolences, introductions, how to be a good houseguest and host, invitations, correspondence, planning a wedding, giving a toast, and sportsmanship.

http://www.mannersinternational.com/

Manners International is a multifaceted consulting corporation that provides etiquette and protocol workshops, instructional videos, interactive online learning solutions and instructional kits.

Manners International's workshops and media products are designed to meet the growing demand for effective manners, etiquette and protocol improvement solutions.
Etiquette and protocol are society's guideposts for recognizing and respecting other individuals, cultures and customs. Manners International provides the needed knowledge to respond to domestic or international business and social situations for the new millennium.

Aoart from this, I have found that there are a few other corporations that provide training courses on learning etiquette for the public.

It is quite interesting to know their approach, the services they provide, and how active are they (such as the amount of people that would apply those courses).

http://www.debretts.com/

Debrett's is the modern authority on all matters etiquette, taste and achievement. Recognising people of distinction and the finer things in life are true to Debrett's heritage, rooted in publishing chronicles of the great and the good over the past two centuries.


Debrett's range of modern etiquette publications such as Debrett's A-Z of Modern Manners, Debrett's Wedding Guide, Debrett's Correct Form, Debrett's Etiquette for Girls and Debrett's Guide for the Modern Gentleman are acclaimed, indispensable references in a world where 'getting it right' is more and more important with conventions less and less understood.

In the book - A-Z of Modern Manners, the content includes: apologising, babies, chivalry, drunkenness, eavesdropping, funerals, guests, honesty, invitations, jargon, kissing, laughing, mobiles, nannies, office parties, proposals, queuing, restaurants, swearing, tipping, underwear, vulgarity, wine, xenophobia, yawning, zips, etc. It is Debrett's first book defining modern manners in over a decade. It provides a comprehensive review of traditional codes of conduct, which is entertaining and refreshing with an insight into new social challenges and modern dilemmas.

I found that there are a lot of manners that I have not noticed before.

http://www.etiquetteandmanners.net/index.html

Etiquette & Manners presents contemporary fundamental etiquette programs which are universally accepted for children, young adults and adults. This is accomplished by providing leadership and lifetime skills through good manners and proper etiquette in the highest professional manner.

Lisa Melchiorri is the Founder and Director of Etiquette & Manners. Ms. Melchiorri received her training under Dorothea Johnson, the Founder of The Protocol School of Washington, the leader and first company to provide professional training and certification in etiquette and protocol in the United States of America. As a graduate of The Protocol School of Washington, Ms. Melchiorri is providing the highest quality programs available to her clients. Ms. Melchiorri has over 18 years of experience on Wall Street -- between New York City and Boston -- as Director of Operations and Administration during which she hired, trained and supervised staff and was responsible for the allocation of $10 million. More recently, she was an integral part of a management team for an accredited graduate school, where she created the financial aid department and implemented all its processes and procedures.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-etiquette.htm

The article briefly explains what etiquette is. It also mentioned why it is important to know etiquette as it helps govern one’s behaviour. Different countries have different cultures and etiquette may differ.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/topic/133992/social_etiquette.html?cat=60

Contain a series of articles published that is related to etiquette.

http://www.helium.com/knowledge/151954-guide-to-general-public-etiquette

There are a few articles written on guide to general public etiquette.

http://changing-personal-habits.suite101.com/article.cfm/40_manners_for_every_situation

It contains a list of manners for different situation.

http://www.tictacdo.com/ttd/Have-Good-Manners

It consists of a list about how to have good manners

http://www.ncgenweb.us/chowan/glimpses/mealrules.htm

It is about table manners.

http://promdress.net/final/index.html

The writer introduces the importance of etiquette and manners in a society. He stated that ‘’the fabric of public society lies in the manners of the individuals that make up that society. To hold this fabric together, you have to have those manners. If you don’t have them, then public society will kick you out.’’

http://useyourinsidevoice.com/?cat=5

The writer opened this blog in response to the worldwide epidemic of bad manners that seems to be growing at an astonishing rate. He posts entries about different public manners and etiquette.

http://www.wikihow.com/Have-Good-Manners

‘’Etiquette isn't just for Emily Post and stuffy snobs. Good manners make good first impressions, and can impact how well people like you. ‘’
http://www.a-to-z-of-manners-and-etiquette.com/manners-and-etiquette-for-children.html

A guide of manners and etiquette, divided into number of categories from a-z,for example, pets, business, telephone, e-mail, funeral, table manners, office, school, etc

http://www.etiquettemoms.com/teen_etiquette.jsp

It provides workshops/courses for people to join, and get trained on how to teach the teens about etiquette and manners.


There are a lot of online resources about the topic. However, they were mostly from the US, while there were very few of them from UK.


http://www.londonvacationguide.com/getinfo.php?cid=26

It is a handy London etiquette guide (on tube, at the pub, in a queue, etc) for people who would like to visit London

Research: Books

The most well known composer on etiquette is Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics and at home written by Emily Post in 1922. (The content of the book can be referred to http://www.bartleby.com/95/.)



Here are some important quotes from the book:

On Manners and Etiquette
Manners are made up of trivialities of deportment which can be easily learned if one does not happen to know them; manner is personality—the outward manifestation of one’s innate character and attitude toward life.... Etiquette must, if it is to be of more than trifling use, include ethics as well as manners. Certainly what one is, is of far greater importance than what one appears to be.—Chap. I¶6–7

On Selflessness
Unconsciousness of self is not so much unselfishness as it is the mental ability to extinguish all thought of one’s self—exactly as one turns out the light.—Chap. XXIX¶20

On Self-Reliance
There is no reason why you should be bored when you can be otherwise. But if you find yourself sitting in the hedgerow with nothing but weeds, there is no reason for shutting your eyes and seeing nothing, instead of finding what beauty you may in the weeds. To put it cynically, life is too short to waste it in drawing blanks. Therefore, it is up to you to find as many pictures to put on your blank pages as possible.—Chap. VII¶34

On Expression
The phrases that a man might devise to close a letter to his betrothed or his wife are bound only by the limit of his imagination and do not belong in this, or any, book.—Chap. XXVII¶40

There is a quality of protectiveness in a man’s expression as it falls on his betrothed, as though she were so lovely a breath might break her; and in the eyes of a girl whose love is really deep, there is always evidence of that most beautiful look of championship, as though she thought: “No one else can possibly know how wonderful he is!”—Chap. XX¶35

The letter we all love to receive is one that carries so much of the writer’s personality that she seems to be sitting beside us, looking at us directly and talking just as she really would, could she have come on a magic carpet, instead of sending her proxy in ink-made characters on mere paper.—Chap. XXVIII¶56

On the Opera
Excepting a religious ceremonial, there is no occasion where greater dignity of manner is required of ladies and gentlemen both, than in occupying a box at the opera. For a gentleman especially no other etiquette is so exacting.—Chap. VI¶1

On Slang
The most vulgar slang is scarcely worse than the attempted elegance which those unused to good society imagine to be the evidence of cultivation.—Chap. VIII¶2
The fact that slang is apt and forceful makes its use irresistibly tempting. Coarse or profane slang is beside the mark, but “flivver,” “taxi,” the “movies,” “deadly” (meaning dull), “feeling fit,” “feeling blue,” “grafter,” a “fake,” “grouch,” “hunch” and “right o!” are typical of words that it would make our spoken language stilted to exclude.—Chap. VIII¶15

On the Single Woman
The pretty young woman living alone, must literally follow Cinderella’s habits. The magpie never leaves her window sill and the jackal sits on the doormat, and the news of her every going out and coming in, of every one whom she receives, when they come, how long they stay and at what hour they go, is spread broadcast.—Chap. XIX¶26

On Opulence
The difference between the great house with twenty to fifty guest rooms, all numbered like the rooms in a hotel, and the house of ordinary good size with from four to six guest rooms, or the farmhouse or small cottage which has but one “best” spare chamber, with perhaps a “man’s room” on the ground floor, is much the same as the difference between the elaborate wedding and the simplest—one merely of degree and not of kind.—Chap. XXV¶1

On the Limits of Politeness
Alas! it is true: “Be polite to bores and so shall you have bores always round about you.”—Chap. VII¶34

On Litter-bugs
People who picnic along the public highway leaving a clutter of greasy paper and swill (not a pretty name, but neither is it a pretty object!) for other people to walk or drive past, and to make a breeding place for flies, and furnish nourishment for rats, choose a disgusting way to repay the land-owner for the liberty they took in temporarily occupying his property.—Chap. V¶26

On the Fresh
“Keep your hands to yourself!” might almost be put at the head of the first chapter of every book on etiquette.—Chap. X¶97

On Child-rearing
Training a child is exactly like training a puppy; a little heedless inattention and it is out of hand immediately; the great thing is not to let it acquire bad habits that must afterward be broken. Any child can be taught to be beautifully behaved with no effort greater than quiet patience and perseverance, whereas to break bad habits once they are acquired is a Herculean task.—Chap. XXXV¶2

Children are all more or less little monkeys in that they imitate everything they see. If their mother treats them exactly as she does her visitors they in turn play “visitor” to perfection. Nothing hurts the feelings of children more than not being allowed to behave like grown persons when they think they are able.—Chap. XXXV¶21

Nothing appeals to children more than justice, and they should be taught in the nursery to “play fair” in games, to respect each other’s property and rights, to give credit to others, and not to take too much credit to themselves.—Chap. XXXV¶29

On Patience
There is a big deposit of sympathy in the bank of love, but don’t draw out little sums every hour or so—so that by and by, when perhaps you need it badly, it is all drawn out and you yourself don’t know how or on what it was spent.—Chap. XXXVI¶19

On Smoking
One very great annoyance in open air gatherings is cigar smoke when blown directly in one’s face or worse yet the smoke from a smouldering cigar. It is almost worthy of a study in air currents to discover why with plenty of space all around, a tiny column of smoke will make straight for the nostrils of the very one most nauseated by it!—Chap. VI¶48

On Boston
Best Society in Boston having kept its social walls intact, granting admission only to those of birth and breeding, has therefore preserved a quality of unmistakable cultivation. There are undoubtedly other cities, especially in the South, which have also kept their walls up and their traditions intact—but Boston has been the wise virgin as well, and has kept her lamp filled.—Chap. XVII¶21

On the Life of the Party
The joy of joys is the person of light but unmalicious humor. If you know anyone who is gay, beguiling and amusing, you will, if you are wise, do everything you can to make him prefer your house and your table to any other; for where he is, the successful party is also.—Chap. VII¶11

On the Wedding Veil
As for her veil in its combination of lace or tulle and orange blossoms, perhaps it is copied from a head-dress of Egypt or China, or from the severe drapery of Rebecca herself, or proclaim the knowing touch of the Rue de la Paix. It may have a cap, like that of a lady in a French print, or fall in clouds of tulle from under a little wreath, such as might be worn by a child Queen of the May.—Chap. XXII¶23



Emily has described and review the issue in all aspects in detail.

Other examples:

A manual of etiquette – with hints on politeness and good breeding by Daisy Eyebright (The content can be related to http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/eyebright/etiquette/etiquette.html)

Manners made easy for teens: 10 steps to a life of confidence, poise and respect by June Hines Moore

There are books targeted for gentlemen, women and teens and children respectively.
There are also books specify on table manners, business etiquette, wedding etiquette, etc.

Action plan

In this unit, I approached to do a lot of information research on the understanding of the topic, the existing work or document, thus quantify the needs or importance of etiquette and manners at a general aspect for all people.


I would also start to pay more attention to the surrounding and observe the activity of the people whenever I am away from home. This could be very useful to my study on this topic.

In developing the work, I planned to design a series of customised graphics to restructure the information found and present the content in a more interesting way, which will be easily accessible and understandable by the audience.

Aims and objective

Etiquette and manners are something known as a norm, but they are not written laws or rules. This behaviour could be some kind of common sense that people acquired in school or through growing. Apart from that, it is not something people would used to spend time to study or read about. There were always many people complaining about those who neglect to have good manners, such as jumping queue, littering, etc. However, how many of you do really know what is meant by an acceptable behaviour? Although there were a number of books written on etiquette and manners, they used to be lengthy of words and explanation. There were no single books that practically illustrate the text visually in images. In my own view, I think it is not practical enough to interest people.

Etiquette and manners are something very essential in our daily life. It relates to our daily activities about how we behave. With good behaviour and manners, people learn how to respect each other and this makes everything easier, which is important to maintain a harmony society. It is something that cannot be neglected or put aside.

In my point of working on this topic, I would like to produce an effective and influential design that could bring up the importance of etiquette and manners, increase the public awareness about this topic and attract the audience to develop interest in it.

In my previous experience, I have produced mush different work pieces, such as book cover design, stencil art, book binding, etc. Therefore, I would like to produce something different for a new experience. And I think it is best to develop an information design in this programme of study. An information design can clarify the topic to the audience through transforming sentences of words into visual language (graphic display). This can better illustrate the topic, so as to allow a wide range of audience to easily understand the message conveyed and be motivated by the design.

Monday 1 February 2010

IPS: Etiquette and Manners

Define the topic

Etiquette is a code of behaviour that delineates expectations for social behaviour according to contemporary conventional norms within a society, social class, or group. A rule of etiquette may reflect an underlying ethical code, or it may reflect a person's fashion or status. Rules of etiquette are usually unwritten, but aspects of etiquette have been codified from time to time.


Manners, in sociology, are the unenforced standards of conduct which show the actor that you are proper, polite, and refined. They are like laws in that they codify or set a standard for human behaviour, but they are unlike laws in that there is no formal system for punishing transgressions, other than social disapproval. They are a kind of norm. What is considered "mannerly" is highly susceptible to change with time, geographical location, social stratum, occasion, and other factors.


Manners involve a wide range of social interactions within cultural norms as in the "comedy of manners", or a painter's characteristic "manner". Etiquette and manners, like mythology, have buried histories especially when they seem to have little obvious purpose, and their justifications as logical ("respect shown to others" etc.) may be equally revealing to the social historian.

"Etiquette tells one which fork to use. Manners tells one what to do when your neighbour doesn't"

"Etiquette has been define as a code of laws which binds society together -- viewless as the wind -- and yet exercising a vast influence upon the well-being of mankind."