By Northern Student Archives
Published 5:00 pm on June 9, 2025
Bemidji State University’s doors have been open for more than a century, equipping students to enter into the workforce and build a strong life for themselves and their loved ones.
And the students have long been looking out for each other, too.
Back when the school was called Bemidji State Teachers College, students took it upon themselves to provide critical etiquette advice to help their classmates in particularly perilous social settings. The following was published in a 1929 edition of the Northern Student, before the publication was first a newspaper. The author, while unnamed, was clearly a knowledgeable individual who felt it imperative to share their expertise as a resource to greener students who may find the advice especially illuminating.
Without further ado, we present these 10 “rules of social conduct” that still hold true almost a century later:
Having understood that some students do not fully realize the importance of following rules of conduct in social circles and that a few do not even know these rules, we are offering a list of etiquette laws with the reasons that any thinking student should obey them.
- Never slam the door. You are in danger of pinching a finger.
- Play with the silverware while waiting to be served, so that you will have it in your hands at the signal to eat.
- Hold your knife and fork with a banjo grip. The one sitting beside you might grab them.
- While waiting for the hostess to sit down at the table, stand behind your chair with your hands grasping the back so you will be sure of getting a seat.
- Take your coffee spoon out of the cup while drinking. You might swallow it.
- When elderly people enter the room, rise, but hang on to your chair.
- Do not pass in front of anyone. He may trip you.
- Always be punctual. You may miss something.
- Do not chew gum in public. You might be asked to share it.
- When you meet a member of the faculty, do not say, “How do you do?” You know that already.
