SIGNS OF LIFE, 7 LITTLE WORDS

Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22) Another way that you could disconcert those around you was to be more up to date and cosmopolitan than your fellows. So what’s your goal here?

Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21) Words can only take you so far. There is also a world of hurt that can be inflicted by gesture. It is useful in noisy, crowded places where words would go unheard, or over distances that blur the pronunciation of your well-chosen sentiments. So many ways to communicate.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21) Not one of the period advice manuals tells a man, or boy, to wear his hat; it was simply assumed behaviour. While he might need to be reminded to carry a handkerchief, a hat was unforgettable and taken utterly for granted. Don’t take your hat for granted.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19) Napkin use is all very well if you have a napkin and the facilities to launder it regularly, but how many people did? Things to think about.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18) If everyone is your superior, your hat barely gets a chance to keep the rain off, and half your life might seem to consist of an eyes-down semi-crouch. A certain leeway had to be allowed to those at the bottom of the heap or little would have got done. Lift others up.

20) Ploughmen and dairy maids were not expected to perform the courtesies with any great degree of elegance and polish, and touching the knees to the ground was not looked for in muddy, outdoor situations…. Phew.

19) However rich a merchant became, he was always going to struggle to look like a bona fide gentleman. Which, frankly, was the whole point of the exercise. You can’t fake the secret handshake.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20) The young and the fashion forward were challenging and changing notions of what constituted appropriate dress. One group of people were deeply unsettled by this and others were having fun…. Have fun with fashion!

Gemini (May 21 – June 20) Across the board, the writers of manners books were keen for you to keep your phlegm out of other people’s business as much as possible. Loud nose blowing was condemned … while sorting and sniffing were worse. This is still a good principle.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22) There was a right way and a wrong way to break social rules. Don’t break the rule-breaking rule.

Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22) It was at dinner that you had the finest opportunities to disgust people with your personal habits. All faults were magnified during the dining ritual, and a whole host of food-specific examples of bad manners came into play. Take small bites.

Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22) Fishing about for the best bits was decidedly rude and so was randomly planting your spoon or knife all over the bowl. Restrain yourself.

Last Week’s Answers:

Sudoku Answers from pg44 of 9/23

Puzzle A Puzzle B Puzzle C