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Behaving Ourselves: Mitchell on Manners

Behaving Ourselves: Mitchell on Manners: A Bit of History

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04/01/2016

A Bit of History

BBC Radio 4 - Behaving Ourselves: Mitchell on Manners, A Bit of History

David Mitchell sets out on a polite but firm inquiry into the confusing world of manners.

David Mitchell takes his lunchtime sandwiches to primary school, as he begins his inquiry into the state of our manners. In episode one, he explores where our manners come from.

David Mitchell sets out on a vigorous but impeccably polite investigation into the confusing world of manners. Are they really in decline, as many would have us believe? Or are we just throwing off the shackles of the Victorian obsession with etiquette? 

In the first of four episodes, David eats his lunchtime sandwiches with children in a primary school, and later goes to a street market to see manners - good and bad - in action. And he explores where our manners come from with Professors Steven Pinker from Harvard University and Stephen Mennell from University College, Dublin, and with the author Henry Hitchings.

Producer: Chris Ledgard.

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David Mitchell investigates the confusing world of manners.

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A Bit of History

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