Etiquette (1922) on behaviour in public

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorYou're on the Old Advice Hotline, where every answer comes from 1922 and every answer is correct. Caller, go ahead.

2. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorGreg, in Toledo, writes: the man next to me on the bus takes video calls on speakerphone. Every single ride.

3. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorGreg, this is exactly what Emily Post had in mind.

4. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorEmily Post, 1922: Shun conspicuous manners, conspicuous clothes, a loud voice, staring at people, knocking into them, talking across anyone, in a word do not attract attention to yourself.

5. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThat was written about him.

6. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorExactly. So Greg, you do what the book says. No staring at him, no knocking into him, no talking across him.

7. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo he just keeps going.

8. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorNo! The book says do not attract attention. So Greg wears beige, whispers, and sits very, very still. He'll feel the contrast.

9. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorGreg replies: I wore beige and whispered for a week. A woman asked if I was okay.

10. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorGreg, that's attention! Fine. The book also bans talking across anyone, so pass your complaint seat to seat, quietly, like a bucket brigade.

11. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorEleven strangers whispering about one man.

12. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorA community, Hank. My verdict: out-quiet him until he feels the shame of being the only noise.

13. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe book is Etiquette, by Emily Post, published in nineteen twenty-two. It had no opinion on buses with screens.

14. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorGreg followed it perfectly and is now the most noticed man on the bus. Hank, you should try beige.