What Would Galateo Say?

Il Galateo was good advice written by Giovanni Della Casa (1503–56). Ostensibly written for young noblemen of his time, the book has had wider appeal in post-Renaissance times. The following excerpt is entitled "Dress."

When you go into public, let your dress be genteel, and suitable to your age and station of life. He that does otherwise, shows a contempt of the world, and too great an opinion of his own importance. On this account, the citizens of Padua were always greatly offended, and thought themselves insulted, if a noble Venetian appeared in their streets not in his full dress gown, but in a short coat; as if he fancied himself taking a walk at his ease, in some country village.  

Let your clothes not only be made of good broad cloth but lay it down as a constant rule, in adorning your person, to conform to the custom of the country you live in and also to the fashion of the present times: tho' the dress, which we now use, may perhaps be less convenient and less suited to the human body, than that of the ancients either really was, or as learned men fancy it was.  

In like manner, if the whole town wear their hair cut short, I would not have you ostentatiously display your fine locks at full length; or, if the rest, of your countrymen wear beards, I would not have you alone appear without one: for this would be to make yourself singular, and contrary to other people.  

Whereas, in our common intercourse with mankind, we ought by no means (without some necessity, which shall hereafter be explained) to run counter to the common customs of the world: for this, beyond any other offence we can be guilty of, will render us odious to mankind. There is no reason in the world then, why, in things of this kind, you should oppose the opinion of the public to which you ought always, in a moderate way, to conform; lest you should be left to enjoy your own fashion alone.

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Un po' di Galateo

Galateo: The Rules of Polite Behavior (Il Galateo, overo de 'costume) by Giovanni Della Casa (1503–56) was published in Venice in 1558. A lively guide to what one should do and avoid in ordinary social life, this influential courtesy book of the Renaissance explores subjects such as dress, table manners, and conversation. It became so popular that the title, which refers to the name of one of the author’s distinguished friends, entered into the Italian language. To “not know the Galateo” means to be impolite, crude, and awkward in polite society. link

I often "forget my Galateo." Here is Galateo on puns and word play:

Jingling Puns 

     You will meet also with some people, who, for every word that is spoken, have some other word, without any meaning, ready at hand, by way of jingle; others, who will change the syllables of a word in a trifling, foolish manner; others will speak or answer in a different manner from what we expected; and that without any wit or beauty of thought, as, 

'Where is my Lord?' -- [In his clothes, unless he is bathing or in bed]. 

'How does this wine taste?' -- [A little moist, I think]. 

'How is this dish to be eaten?' -- [With your mouth and the like].

   All which kinds of wit (as you will easily apprehend) are low and vulgar. But to discourse what kinds of wit are most elegant and genteel, is no part of my present design; for this has been done already and very copiously, by men far my superiors in learning and ingenuity. Besides, as all true wit affords immediately sufficient and certain testimony of its own grace and elegance, you can very rarely err in this respect, unless you are blinded by an immoderate degree of self-partiality: For whenever a jest is really facetious and elegant, there immediately arises an appearance of mirth and laughter, joined with no common degree of admiration.
    If, therefore, your witticisms are not instantly approved by the laugh of the company,* for Heaven's sake, do not attempt to be witty for the future, for you may take it for granted, the defect is in yourself, and not in your audience. For the hearers, being immediately stricken with a ready, genteel, and delicate repartee or bon mot, cannot possibly forbear laughing, though ever so desirous, but must necessarily laugh, though against their will. 

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*LOL