London: For hundreds of years, Debrett's has guided
Britain's aristocracy through the niceties of meeting royalty, going to the
races and eating soup in the correct way.
Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage are straying into previously
unmentionable areas of the life of a modern girl -- with a new book
offering guidance on adultery, toplessness and celebrity gossip.
[Reuters] |
But now the publisher of the bible of blue-blooded behaviour is straying into
the previously unmentionable areas of the life of a modern girl with a new book
offering guidance on adultery, toplessness and celebrity gossip.
The first edition of Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage known in Britain as the
"toff's bible" was published in 1769, and its tome on manners, Debrett's Correct
Form, has guided high society for decades.
But according to its editor, Jo Aitchison, the new book "Etiquette for Girls"
is a sign that the traditional arbiters of civility are catching up with the
times.
"It's a nod to the modern day," she said. "We're pulling Debrett's out of
Victorian times and trying to make it relevant to today."
The book's advice ranges from how to conduct a sleaze-free office fling or a
disease-free one night stand, to how to smoke at social occasions and what to do
when you meet a celebrity.
"Avoid dark-alley gropery and unlady-like fumbling in the back of a cab," the
guide says on the subject of one night stands. "Discuss the necessaries to avoid
planting any love children or disease, and you're away."
On smoking it decrees: "Always use a proper ashtray never a wine bottle,
flower pot or used plate and avoid allowing smoke to billow out of the nostrils.
"It is also inelegant to leave the cigarette unsupported in the mouth..."
But Aitchison insists the book is not all about sex, lies and partying.
The core values of Debrett's remain elegance, composure and dignity. And they
are always important, whether you are dining with the Queen or cheating on your
husband.
"We are trying to give girls confidence to behave in the correct way," she
said. "It's a bit like a survival guide for modern life, so we have had to
include certain subject matters that are new for Debrett's."
The world of celebrity is "peopled by psycho fans and fame hags," the book
says, and is best treated with caution.
As well as advice on affairs, Aitchison points out that the book also
includes suggestions on less risque subjects such as how to behave properly on
the way to work.
"Don't sit on the bus and bellow down your mobile phone," it advises.
It also contains helpful tips for young things planning to go to a music
festival, reminding them to take "earplugs and a pillow."
