Tag Archives: pleasantry

Regency Culture and Society: Raillery and Pleasantry in Conversation

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ON RAILLERY AND PLEASANTRY Raillery has always been considered as tending to enliven conversation it is however a dangerous experiment extremely difficult to practise the bitterness and severity which form a part of it being calculated to sew dissensions and to destroy the strongest friendship Refined raillery pleases those who hear it without wounding the feelings of those whom it particularly affects How difficult a task this to be merry at the weaknesses and follies of our companions and at the same time not offend them In the general we begin to rally a person without intending to offend him we wish to entertain the company but not to distress the individual we must then change the subject the moment we perceive that it is embarrassing or painful Generally speaking I would forbid raillery

In this installment from A Treatise on Politeness, etc (1813) authored by A Lady, we learn about the principles of good-humored teasing and other social Continue →