Irene Davison

A short guide to women's etiquette, first published in 1928.

I got a big kick out of this tiny book. Each chapter is short, concise and absolutely packed with rules and regulations for functioning in the upper class society of the 1920s. These are clearly and logically set out, with very little padding. The book is an excellent resource for anyone interested in this time period. Not only does it provide the reader with a good overview of the period's social customs, it gives her a glimpse into a 1920's mindset.

Highly recommended to anyone researching this period.… (más)

I always suspected that I couldn't have survided as a dame in the 20s. Now I know. Such a thin little book and so many things packed into it. Women back then had to think of too many things to do, to say, not to say, not to do.... Many times while reading I laughed out loud or shook my head in astonishment. I always knew that women weren't equal to men, but I never thought that women of higher classes had such a complicated life. Boring, but confusing.
But I was also surprised that some things remained the same, like certain parts of weddings.
And now I know for sure how to address members of the Royal Family should the need ever arise to write one of them a letter. I'm sure those customs are still the same today as they were in 1928.
All in all a very entertaining book and it showed me once more how thankful I should be that I wasn't born back then.… (más)