I wouldn't have ate it, only I'm too lady-like to take it out of my mouth.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Shaw jokes about politeness overriding practicality; humor on social constraints.
- In plain terms
- Being lady-like stops you from fixing mistakes.
- What can you take from it?
- Politeness can block common sense.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When does etiquette hurt?
- Is politeness always good?
Another view
It’s satire, not a serious rule.
More from George Bernard Shaw
What is life but a series of inspired follies? The difficulty is to find them to do. Never lose a chance: it doesn't come every day.
Permalink to quote #169 I don't want to talk grammar, I want to talk like a lady.
Permalink to quote #171 Women upset everything. When you let them into your life, you find that the woman is driving at one thing and you're driving at another.
Permalink to quote #168
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