Perfect Behavior: A Guide for Ladies and Gentlemen in All Social Crises

"Perfect Behavior: A Guide for Ladies and Gentlemen in All Social Crises" by Donald Ogden Stewart is a satirical guidebook on etiquette that likely dates back to the early 20th century. This work parodies the norms of polite society, offering humorous insights into the social interactions and customs of courtship, engagements, weddings, and everyday behavior. With a focus on the absurdities and intricacies of social expectations, it addresses the importance of manners and the often comical consequences of social faux pas. The opening of the book delves into the etiquette of courtship, presenting a playful perspective on a young gentleman named Richard Roe as he navigates the complex rules of social interactions when pursuing a refined young lady, Dorothy Doe. Stewart’s writing captures the whimsical nature of dating rituals, from correct introductions to the significance of flowers and their meanings in a budding romance. Through a series of exaggerated and humorous examples, the narrative sets the tone for a lighthearted exploration of social customs, suggesting that navigating these behaviors can often border on the ridiculous. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Donald Ogden Stewart was an American writer and screenwriter best known for his sophisticated golden age comedies and melodramas such as The Philadelphia Story, Tarnished Lady and Love Affair. Stewart worked with a number of the directors of his time, including George Cukor, Michael Curtiz and Ernst Lubitsch. Stewart was a member of the Algonquin Round Table and, with Ernest Hemingway's friend Bill Smith, the model for Bill Gorton in The Sun Also Rises. His 1922 parody on etiquette, Perfect Behavior, published by George H. Doran and Co., was a favourite book of P. G. Wodehouse.