JF Ptak Science Books    Quick Post

This is a guidance book for possible social behavior for high school students, published by the students of the Technical High School, Oakland, California, 1931.  There are many suggestions that place ladies in cellophane and are pretty restrictive, but there’s a lot of good stuff, too–for one thing I’ve never understood males wearing hats indoors, which in this manual is of course strictly verbotten. This is a very well design booklet (pocket-sized, on good paper, a good production)  especially since it was designed and printed by high school kids.  

Here are some manners for sporting events, most of which would be nice to see practiced today, which I think makes me seem decrepit and creaking–still, these are good rules for kids (and more so for adults making $150,000 or whatever for each of their professional sports appearances) to if not abide then at least have in their minds:

 “Applause Should Never Continue to the Point Where if is Insulting”

“If the poor player plays his best, he should make no excuses”

“Take victory calmly, with a pleased but not superior air, and avoid boasting. This, more than anything, will mark one as a good winner.’

“Always give the opponent the benefit of the doubt.”

“Decisions of officials should never be questioned by the bleachers”

“Endeavor to ‘save his face’ if your opponent plays poorly”

 Also the illustrations (which in the book are only 3/4″ high) are quite good: