Being a woman Quote by Emily Post
“She must not swing her arms as though they were dangling ropes; she must not switch herself this way and that; she must not shout; and she must not, while wearing her bridal veil, smoke a cigarette”
About This Quote
Source Short story: The Bride’s Dilemma, 1925 (attributed)
The passage humorously lists a series of bridal etiquette taboos, highlighting social expectations and the absurdity of strict rules.
In simple terms: It jokes about what a bride shouldn’t do, pointing out how rigid customs can be silly.
Key Takeaway
Question norms and choose comfort over outdated rules.
Themes
etiquette
social pressure
tradition
humor
Mood
light‑hearted
critical
Type
humorous
thought‑provoking
When to use this quote
- wedding planning
- first‑time social events
- public speaking
- family gatherings
Key Concepts
cultural norms
personal autonomy
Questions to Reflect On
- Which “shouldn’t” rule feels most irrelevant today?
- How can you adapt tradition to personal values?
A Different Perspective
Some advice may feel outdated or overly prescriptive for modern contexts.
![“[she used to say that] each of us has a veil between ourselves and the rest of the world – like a bride wears on her wedding day—except this kind of veil is invisible. we walk around happily with these invisible veils hanging down over our faces. the world is kind of blurry. we like it that way…” quote by Rebecca Stead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6c9/rebecca-stead-11010_marriage_she-used-to-say-that-each-of-us-has-a-ve_1078243.jpg)
