Red Panda on auction. http://www.furbuy.com/auctions/1006916.html

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So Tohri and I went to the dump today and he suggested that I take a look at their book section. I found a lot of neat things there, and I now have quite a few books to sell on ebay.

One of them is a book titled "Manners", written by Helen Hathaway in 1928. (This copy is 5th edition, 1930). Most of the rules of "polite society" are just plain ridiculous to follow particularly in this day and age, but the section on conversation and speech certainly applies to the internet generation.

The following is a condensed, heavily-modified list of do's and don'ts, specifically for IMs as well as conventions and other party-type-deals.

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1. Avoid TL;DR stories and excessive reference to memes.

2. It's okay to not know about something. It doesn't mean you're stupid. What DOES make you look stupid is pretending you know about a subject and pulling things out of your ass.

3. I'm sure you're a very interesting person, but you are not the center of the universe.

4. Talk about more than one thing. oh my god. It's great to have hobbies and interests but please, PLEASE for the sanity of everyone you're talking to consider that there is more out there than furry/your fetishes.

5. Listen to what people are saying! If you spend all your time thinking about what you are going to say (particularly if it's about yourself) then there is no conversation. You might as well talk to a mirror.

6. Avoid black-and-white ("dogmatic") discussions. There are many shades of grey for every situation, and the more shades of grey you can distinguish between, the more intelligent you appear.

7. Most of the time, you are funniest when you are not trying.

8. When complimenting someone, be sure there is truth behind it. If you are complimented, appreciate it but don't let it get to your head.