THE CULT OF RUDENESS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1024, 13 January 1911, Page 11

THE CULT OF RUDENESS.

Time was, when the question of-how-to avoid being rude was tho subject of much anxious discussion," says a writer in the Woman's Supplement of "The Times." It was agreed that on all hands were pitfalls, and that tlio safeguards of tact and self-subordination should be warily- strengthened; but "no 0110 suggested that .we should have no wish'to avoid tho pitfalls, but rather take delight iii. plunging into .them. ~ We ; have changed- all" that, however. To bo able to be adequately rudo is the highest mark of, assured position nowadays, a mark, of the most -exquisite culture, and the most fastidious discrimination.'. The distinction'-of being the "rudest woman in London" adds to a woman's prestige, for how can security be better' assured than by pushing aside those who stand on a more precarious footing. '

It is not ;amongst-her equals that her rudeness is most in evidence; nor against the toady, who is persona;. grata "when"; he has climbed high enough;: that is why it is so caddish—it.is-le.vell-. Ed against ■ those who are' least able to protect themselves. "Tho untimely visitor; the shy acquaintance, who-says the wrong thing out of sheer nervous trepidation; tlio .failure; the man- of'-woman' who is soaihlucky as .to .be. rather pf psy : or ■ second-rate, as so many worthy-soul's are; the. poor relation, distinguished, by those traits which deaf Charles Lamb sa'tirised. not all unkindly, need expect but short shrift. ..." ~ , .

Nor it ■is amongst tho ignorant and tho upstarts that the cult of rudeness is most flourishing. ■ "Tho set which leads tho way to deliberate rudeness is ono that uobody has called dull," says the critic- . "Its uienlbers include" the: rich, beautiful, and distinguished, men and women of taste, wit, and talent, with the will and the power to gather round them the best that society has to offer."

It has been suggested that modern, democratic institutions are responsible for tho modern bad manners, but our writer objects to this ■ theory;. -"Go' a' little -way• below tho' surface:off.'high." life,- iiiid you will still -find anxious politeness fldiirish-' ing," she says. "Go deeper-still,-.and the unselfish civility aild cpnsidei;atipn..'..dis-' r . played in the'. paoked'mDotihg, or.bn; a crowded excursion, puts to, shame the. more distinguished traveller, or spat-, holder, whose sulky looks on 'being, dis-," turbed once caused someone to sav'that' 1 'You never saw a Christian in" church, or a lady in a first-class carriage.' Above all," she says, "tho girls of to-day are a. by-word ior bad, manners," and this criticism is one that applies to" the young women of, other - countries besides England. "They.are .the-true, daughters of their mothers in their treatment of those .they suspect of being of no importance. Who better can stare and;smile, a girl who does not belong to .their 'set,' to- a moral Siberia? 'Aft'.forVthe older.people wlio cross their .path,'."wh'o do not justify, thcir.existenco by giving balls or taking. 'ii:.'houso'-at Ascot- tho;contemptuous nod" they receive, tho :.bored -response vouchsafed : to..any remark ..they c.vventure;' -to make, question" f w.hy . they:,; cumber the'; ground." . ~'■■-,. - i . In finding. 0 reason for the. modern cult of rudeness'the writer levels.at the culprits a charge which .would probably wound their self-esteem more than anything else. "Could we analyse the inner springs of this kind of-manner," shesays. "We.- might put 'stupidity first. Want -of: imagination;, less;a fault than a misfortune,:is answerable for-a.good deal. A keen and able to enter into the feelings of others, will save its.owner from.inflicting many a painful slight; but/the rush and the varictv : of life-to-day rub "people of the time 'to' think' and.-feel; and- thero is less development"' of -the imaginative nature." ''~ : "'" '-;■'.'; :' : . ;