Kathryn C. Dennis Shares Her Anything But "Antiquated" Etiquette Rules

Kathryn C. Dennis is a Charleston native through and through — and that means she has a unique understanding of ins and outs of etiquette when it comes to being the Southern lady she is. So when she was recently tasked by Haute Living to list her own rules in all ways of being proper, she had this note: for anyone expecting some old-fashioned advice on the right and wrong way to behave, you really don't know Kathryn.

“What is etiquette? Put simply, it’s a set of rules and regulations dictated to a group of people by a dominant society. As a woman who tends to stick her stilettos through the status quo, I knew I couldn’t write some antiquated guideline on how long your skirt can be or how to discern the salad fork," she explained to the publication. "However, I do have values I believe we should all live by.”

Among the rules that did make the cut certainly point to Kathryn's Southern upbringing, with an updated twist. "You can act like a lady and still show strength. Being 'seen and not heard' is an archaic way of thinking for women in the South. Be seen and be heard! Just try not to overdo it (which I have failed to do so but at the end of the day, I always seem to get my point across)," she shared.

She also noted: "In the words of my late Grandmother, 'pretty is as pretty does.' If you act like a queen, you will be treated like one."

Kathryn does offer all sorts of wisdom, including this: "A lady always does the right thing even when it is not expected of her. For example, a lady will always bless someone else’s reputation, even that of someone whom has attempted to curse hers. Let nature take its course and allow it to reveal others’ skeletons. Darkness always comes to light."

We wonder which nuggets of etiquette she'll be calling on during this season of Southern Charm. Catch a preview of the next episode, below.

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