From the estimable Mr Warren:
Good manners, and at the apex of the state even grand manners, are unquestionably an expression of "homo ludens," of man at play. But as those who have thought with some patience about the human condition have observed, the rules of such "games" are very important. They are the outward expression of a nation of laws not men; of men who serve offices and not vice versa. To behave informally, where formality is required, is to exhibit narcissism.
It should also be said that the office of the Canadian viceroy is an exemplary one. The uniform of the governor general was not only an outward symbol of monarchy (and therefore a reminder of our whole inheritance of British freedom). It was, too, the key to an order in which even the butcher wore a tie, under his apron, as the mark of his respect, including self-respect; in which the bus driver wore his cap and blazer; in which the housewife and mother dressed in vivid awareness of the tone she was setting for her own children, and for all children.
That Canada has passed away, not because it did not work but because it was methodically done in; and the trend since has been conspicuously towards barbarism.
To which I can only say, Amen.
I just came back from a large family gathering celebrating my relative's 50th wedding anniversary. Nobody wore formal attire, including myself, because although I was prepared to wear a suit, my first rule is to avoid dressing better than the guests of honour. The sad decline starts with our families.
ReplyDeleteObviously there is a strong correlation between how one dresses and how one acts. Uniformed officers act professionally, tatooed rappers behave badly. The British aristocracy once ruled much of the world, and grandly dressed the part. The laid back ways of today explains our general apathy, lack of manners and unbearable lightness of being.
Restore our dress and you will recover much.
I went to a private school. Whenever the owner of the school was questioned about the "rigid" dress code, he would reply that dressing well tended to make people behave well.
ReplyDeleteAs for not dressing better than the guests of honour, then we shall almost never dress well. People who know me know how I dress and talk. If you don't want Publius (Kipling), don't ask for him. Albeit a family affair is different. No one in my family dresses well, but then again they're peasants. It's not a sign a disrespect or a falling off of standards, it's just where they came from.