ABSTRACT
While it is undoubtedly our duty to love our neighbours, it is a duty not always easily performed, and some neighbours, it must be admitted, do nothing to make it less difficult. There are many ways in which they may be irritating, but one of the worst (to my way of thinking) is that of classifying everybody with some obvious label. People who have this unfortunate habit think that they have complete knowledge of a man or woman when they have pinned on the tag that they consider appropriate. This is, I think, a predominantly feminine vice and belongs more particularly to women who entertain a great deal. The art of being a hostess must be a difficult one, seeing how many women fail at it. ‘Oh Mr So-&-So,’ says the hostess, ‘you are so artistic, I am sure you will enjoy meeting Miss Such-&-Such, who paints such charming pictures.’ Mr So-&-So is (we will suppose) a celebrated art critic of the most refined and exquisite taste, while Miss Such-&-Such paints simple sentimental water colours. Only the force of civilised taboos prevents their conversation from becoming a snarling expression of their mutual hatred. Another person is labelled ‘musical’, another ‘literary’, another ‘fond of dogs’, and so on, and each is expected to be delighted to meet anybody else with the same label.
