Then you must have missed this, which I posted to karen:
There are some natural problems with the question of standards. For example, it is shameful to be an ignoramus, but it is not self- evident what stock of knowledge we ought to expect of adults in various walks of life, or given various levels of intelligence or income. Thus, the standard is movable. This is true of customary observances, as well, where some people are more formal, and some less, according to background or common practice in their "set". Understanding these things is essential to not being a prig. That is why I generally do not fix on the little things, but the big ones. I have focused on apologies, however, because considerateness generally is a big thing, and it is a good example of the quality. How shall I put it? Courtesy is far more important then etiquette. |
