A Pilgrim's Digression

At lunch today, I was treated to the sight of a man vigorously picking his teeth as he stood in line to check out.  Apparently he never read the U.S. Army pamphlet “Personal Conduct for the Soldier” [ca. 1949], else he would have come to this illustration in the chapter on table manners:

Two soldiers pick their teeth while eating dinner in the cafeteria

If you have a moment, be sure to follow the link and take a look at the rest of the pamphlet.  There are some unintentionally funny recommendations in there.  Of course, given the date of publication, there is also some mild sexism.

I particularly got a kick out of the illustration in which men are advised not to let the “homely” girl know that they are there to see her prettier sister.