The Changing Forms of Polite Behavior - Sappington-Concord Historical Society

“How Rude! The Changing Forms of Polite Behavior”

Ms. Jaycox will give her presentation a second time on January 9, 2:30 pm at Friendship Village Sunset Hills. See Directions to Friendship Village.

Emily Jaycox answered three questions for us in her presentation on Nov. 20, 2013.

Can you answer these three quesitons?
• What ended the practice of dueling?
• Why do we not find spittoons in public places, or anywhere anymore?
• What ended the widespread use of handkerchieves?

Check your answers against Emily Jaycox’s answers.

Presentation was given on Nov. 20, 2013 by Emily Troxell Jaycox of the Missouri History Museum.

See the links below on this page for more fascinating information on the changing forms of polite behavior.

Photo: Downton Abbey, Mary and Matthew, photo by the DailyMail

This event was held in 2013 and is over.

Come join us on Wednesday afternoon at 3:00 pm,
November 20th, at Tesson Ferry Library to hear the presentation,

“How Rude! The Changing Forms of Polite Behavior,”
a talk by Emily Troxell Jaycox of the Missouri History Museum.

The daytime presentations have become popular with those who do not want to drive at night or who are otherwise committed Wednesday nights. We have a wonderful and convenient venue in the Tesson Ferry Library auditorium. The library also co-sponsors the daytime presentations with SCHS. The date is Wednesday, November 20 at 3:00 pm. The speaker is Emily Troxell Jaycox Librarian at the Missouri History Museum.

Of her talk, she says: “Did you know that spittoons were considered a step forward in polite behavior? Have you ever wondered about the etiquette of calling cards or dance cards? What about hats and gloves? Should Mrs. Jones refer to her husband as Mr. J.? What advice was given to newlyweds 50, 100 or 200 years ago? Discover the ever‐evolving standards of politeness, which illuminate the relations between men, women, classes and races.”

Emily Troxell Jaycox joined the Missouri History Museum library staff in 1989. Prior to that, she worked at the Newberry Library in Chicago and Lake Forest College Library. Her undergraduate degree in History is from Oberlin College and her master’s in Library Science is from the University of Chicago. While working among old books and documents, much of her workday is spent planning ways to make more of the Missouri Historical Society’s collections searchable via the Internet. Her research interests include historic maps, North America in the late 1700’s, and the history of food. She lives in South St. Louis and enjoys house tours.
See video of Ms. Jaycox talking about a valuable Missouri History Museum Library resource, fire insurance maps.
See map and driving directions to Tesson Ferry library.