Emily Post (1873–1960,) née Emily Price, was an American writer, columnist, and socialite who was an expert on manners and correct social behavior.
Born into a wealthy family in Baltimore, Maryland, Post was educated in New York and married in 1892, but divorced after having two children. She then began a career in society journalism, writing for such magazines as Harper’s, Scribner’s, and the Century. She also wrote light novels, including Flight of the Moth (1904,) Purple and Fine Linen (1906,) Woven in the Tapestry (1908,) The Title Market (1909,) and The Eagle’s Feather (1910.)
Post gradually developed an interest in correct social behavior. She found lasting fame with Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics and at Home (1922,) which became better known as Etiquette: The Blue Book of Social Usage. By the time of her death, it had sold more than a million copies after 10 editions and 90 printings. Her advice applied good sense and thoughtfulness to basic human interactions.
Post also had a radio program and wrote a regular newspaper column, which was printed each day in more than 200 newspapers. She also wrote How to Behave Though a Debutante (1928) and a book about interior decorating, The Personality of a House (1930.)
In 1946, Post founded the Emily Post Institute for the Study of Gracious Living—her descendants now lead this organization.
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Nothing is less important than which fork you use. Etiquette is the science of living. It embraces everything. It is ethics. It is honor.
—Emily Post
Topics: Manners
Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use.
—Emily Post
Topics: Awareness, Manners
To do exactly as your neighbors do is the only sensible rule.
—Emily Post
Topics: Conformity
Ideal conversation must be an exchange of thought, and not, as many of those who worry most about their shortcomings believe, an eloquent exhibition of wit or oratory.
—Emily Post
Topics: Conversation
A little praise is not only merest justice but is beyond the purse of no one.
—Emily Post
Topics: Praise
Bread is like dressed, hats and shoes — in other words, essential!
—Emily Post
To the old saying that man built the house but woman made of it a “home” might be added the modern supplement that woman accepted cooking as a chore but man has made of it a recreation.
—Emily Post
Topics: Eating, Cooking