Painting by William Glackens
Growing up, there was a spot to go with a counter for ice cream served in chilled silvery cups and men in white coats behind the counter scooping away. 
pretty Emma Watson having a strawberry shake
I vividly remember going with my Great Aunt Louise for a sweet scoop. She would wear pretty suits and always have a proper cotton or linen hanky for wiping a brow or for any necessary primping. I love this painting with these ladies in their bright cheery dresses. There is something fun about wearing brights, eating ice cream and feeling all prissy.
Which brings me to, is "primping" priggish or out-dated?
Would you "primp" in public, add a smear of lipstick, wipe a chin in public or do you need to excuse yourself to "powder your nose?"
Are you prim and proper or _______and ________?
Fill in the blank for me, pretty please.
Now there is that special shade of salmon,watermelon- or have we yet to come up with the proper name???
ReplyDeleteI sometimes see ladies bringing out a small mirror and applying lipstick at the table-It isn't offensive to me-but I can't seem to do it. I usually excuse myself and tuck into the powder room. But there is something sweet and sort of "Auntie" about primping. I'm going to try primping in public this weekend!
Debra-
ReplyDeleteAs of late, I seem to be spotting more public primping than I would care to share personally. Is all decency gone asunder?
I know, call me Auntie prude.
pve
I'm public and practical - a little mirror in my purse and I can primp anywhere! Why excuse myself from a good time to reapply the lipgloss?
ReplyDeleteBuzz-
ReplyDeleteha ha, public and practical and an opportunity to check for greens in my teeth! eww!
pve
I am more of a get and go kind of gal.
ReplyDeletePrimp? Maybe in the inside of my car before going in or meeting someone. When at lunch, or dinner out I think I am more focused on the conversation than my looks. But; please let me know if I have a bit of parsley in my smile!
Probably the compact is a slow going gesture that is dying out.Another less seen practice is the ol' hanky.
L.
I usually have my lipstick and powder in my purse ---- but never like to tear myself away from the table (and stop talking) to go primp. So, I guess I'm a little less proper than one might expect! :)
ReplyDeleteI try to be discreet but I never hesitate to put on a little lipgloss no matter where I am.
ReplyDeletePVE,
ReplyDeleteI discreetly touch-up. I "read" the situation for the touch-up occassion. Let's bring back proper etiquette ladies.
Bette
good topic. several of my cousins refer to my deceased GramMa as prissy. She lived to be 107-of a different era. I always defend her against the prissy image and say- appearance was important to here. She took pride in all the rituals. I did not inherit all her good qualities. I go with the as need to basis, rather than worrying about public perception and correctness-I think more about who I am with-and what is appropriate to each situation.
ReplyDeleteI'm more wash and go. I try to be chic and sleek but it never quite works out.
ReplyDeleteI used to primp in public when I was younger. Now I need to put on my reading glasses ha ha and go somewhere (the rest room) with good light.
ReplyDeleteLipstick applied quickly is okay, powder on the nose okay, but nothing more than that in public. Some people really get down with serious grooming in public (flossing, nail clipping, etc.), and it is gross and tacky.
Wish I could meet you for an ice cream sundae.
xo xo
Goes with the circumstances, sometimes a little primp sometimes a little romp! Mostly chasing the kids in public with lunch on their faces...or worse!
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's bad to touch up your lipstick, but it's a bit much to see someone putting on foundation on the subway which happened recently! Good question and great images!
ReplyDeleteLove that painting! I think we should all get frilled up and go find an ice cream "parlor" to look prim and proper in!
ReplyDeletePulling out a beautiful little compact to powder ones nose & apply lipstick sounds quite glamorous actually, but I'm more of the head to the powder room type of girl. Maybe I just need a fancy compact!
Yes, there is such a thing as TMI aka too much information! I don't care to see this in public, because these days it never seems to be done respectfully...or quickly.
ReplyDeleteI confess I do put lipstick on in public--that's about the extent of it though, I look so washed out without it!
ReplyDeleteI'm mannerly and modest (: As a southern gal, manners are timeless. The "let it all hang out" approach of today brings so much harshness to the gentle flow of life. Don't get me wrong...I'm a rebel, have an eclectic life style and embrace every chance to learn something new, but as the years go by I have come to appreciate the simple nuances of grace and etiquette...plus, being a natural girl requires less lipstick and powder time.
ReplyDeleteThank-you to each of you who left such lovely comments in regard to proper primping. Here's to each of us, feeling good amongst friends and enjoying socializing, sharing, and discreetly applying lip gloss or lip-stick in good company!
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend to each of you.
pve
I have to excudse myself to the washroom...can't seem to do my makeup in public!
ReplyDeleteChar
I'm pretty prim and proper about these sort of things and do my primpin' in private.
ReplyDeleteI'll do some discreet primping ... but only with good friends and family!
ReplyDelete