Pretty Fours

Vote your worst personal twitch! (0.00 / 0)

Whether it be to giveth or receive.

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by: Intermittent Bystander @ Sat Apr 25, 2009 at 21:28:57 PM CDT

The Boring Button called to me (4.00 / 4)

And for sheer poetry, Fuck To You.

Sadly, I must tear myself away from these temptations, and likewise forswear the joys of tipping literary chracters with spontaneous gleee.

I suspect that, eventually, random burst of ethereal affection or amusement will be the undoing of my principled plan.

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by: Intermittent Bystander @ Sat Apr 25, 2009 at 21:44:01 PM CDT

When I see an excellent post (4.00 / 2)

I don't agree with that I think makes a good point, is that a "3" or a "4"?

Blog ratings are a little like Victorian calling cards. Some just drop them in the bowl. Others worry about whether the correct corner is turned up or down.

Oh, but the analogy is candy, isn't it?

Squirrel Nut Zippers?

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by: vox humana @ Sat Apr 25, 2009 at 21:47:52 PM CDT

I like the Victoriana notion (4.00 / 2)

Once upon a time at an orange blog long long ago, I used to be  gracious, generous, and genteel.  Maybe some day I will be again.

Maybe it's blogospheric PTSD, and temporary, but for now, I've just had enough of that stuff!  

Camp is fun so far, though, eh?  Made in the Shade.

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by: Intermittent Bystander @ Sat Apr 25, 2009 at 22:16:07 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Well, in case we all want to devise (4.00 / 1)

a proper rating system:

The card was conveyed to the mistress of the house, who would then decide whether or not to receive the caller.  Out of respect, no questions or inquiries as to the whereabouts of the residents or the mistress were asked during the initial visit.  

If the mistress was 'not at home', it was a rejection of the visitor. A reciprocal card may be given to the caller, but if none was given formally, this generally indicated less desire to further the acquaintance.  However, if formal calls were given, there was hope for the relationship to grow.

A message could be left without actually greeting the family by turning down a specific corner or folding the card to express sympathy, congratulations or affection.  This generally indicated that the card had been delivered in person, rather than by a servant. Some more elaborate cards noted phrases, some of which were in French.  They were generally imprinted on the reverse-corner side of the card, stating words such as: Visite, Felicitation, Affaires, and Adieu.  The card would then be turned side up, showing the explanation for the visit.

Calls should be made only on at home days. Days and times for these were engraved on visiting cards.  A newcomer waited until she received cards from neighbors. It was then good manners to call on those neighbors who left cards.

Formal calls were made following ceremonial events such as engagements, marriages or childbirth, and also as acknowledgement of hospitality. After a specific event, it was courteous to make a call within a week for all condolences and congratulations.  A visitor may ask for a more personal admission.  If not so intimate, they inquired to the servant as to the person's well-being.

Each visit had a significance and were noted with specific times.  Ceremonial visits were made the day after a ball, between three and four o'clock, when it sufficed to simply leave a card. Or the semi-ceremonial calls were made within a day or two after a dinner party between four and five o'clock, and within a week of a small party.  It was part of general routine to set aside times for these types of visits.  

Remembrance of the beloved, 'Mourning calls' were made in the afternoon.  

Sunday was never a day of visit, this day was reserved for close friends and relatives.    Visits were brief, lasting less than thirty minutes.  During the visits, it was courtesy to leave within a few minutes if another caller arrived.  

Standard practice of all calls were returned the same as presented.  Example of a call, a card with a card, within one week, or at the most, ten days.  If a family was temporarily leaving the area, they wrote P.P.C. (pour prendage conge) on their cards when they called.

Or, we could just keep using the "1" rating here. Same idea....

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by: vox humana @ Sat Apr 25, 2009 at 22:31:56 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Have you seen savage grace? (4.00 / 2)

thats one of the plot points. how the mother allways makes sure the big name people's cards are on top (whether they have "called" or not.  the film took place in the mid 20th century so evidently it was still in fashion with the eurojetset.


what noom would say

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by: Revisionist @ Sat Apr 25, 2009 at 22:41:46 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Same idea . . . . (4.00 / 1)

And almost as much social hassle!

Thanks for the very interesting primer!  

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by: Intermittent Bystander @ Sun Apr 26, 2009 at 19:43:46 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

And, just because it's fun (4.00 / 1)

and we all need more reasons to waste time, try this site to find that old fashioned candy craving. Check it out by decade for memories you never knew you had!

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by: vox humana @ Sat Apr 25, 2009 at 21:52:32 PM CDT

Placed a huge order there last year, everything is corn syrup now. Everything. (4.00 / 2)

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by: Laura @ Sat Apr 25, 2009 at 22:20:13 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Squirrel Nut Zippers are still surprisingly good. (4.00 / 1)

(If you haven't tried them they're exactly like eating a soft version of peanut brittle)

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by: Laura @ Sat Apr 25, 2009 at 22:22:40 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Yeah, I like SNZs. (3.00 / 1)

Even the name tastes good.

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by: vox humana @ Sat Apr 25, 2009 at 22:25:47 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Ghost of Stephen Foster (4.00 / 2)

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by: Intermittent Bystander @ Sat Apr 25, 2009 at 23:18:12 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Banana Splits (4.00 / 1)

reeked, as I recall.  But Fruit-striped gum was kinda refreshing.

Great link!

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by: Intermittent Bystander @ Sat Apr 25, 2009 at 22:34:49 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

All banana-flavored candy (0.00 / 0)

is an abomination. Squirrel Nut Zippers and Lemonheads are my favorite old-fashioneds. I always liked that clove gum and Teaberry, too.

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by: vox humana @ Sat Apr 25, 2009 at 22:44:12 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Well I was gonna mention pine pitch gum (4.00 / 1)

before I got distracted, or maybe the thought just made my teeth flinch.  Great flavor though.  

Right on to you with the clove and Teaberry reminder!

Totally forgot that SNZ was a candy, as it happens.  First and last thought was the band!

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by: Intermittent Bystander @ Sat Apr 25, 2009 at 22:55:50 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I've shopped there... (4.00 / 1)

I was very upset to learn that they stopped making Turkish Taffy. I used to love that.

"It's always funny until someone gets hurt. Then it's just hilarious."~Bill Hicks

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by: triv33 @ Sun Apr 26, 2009 at 11:04:03 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

More Red Stick Ramblers (0.00 / 0)

Main Street Blues.

Partial, but riotous!

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by: Intermittent Bystander @ Sat Apr 25, 2009 at 23:08:04 PM CDT

Bit O Honey (0.00 / 0)

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by: Blogmaid @ Sun Apr 26, 2009 at 17:35:04 PM CDT