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<font color="silver"><font face="verdana"><font size="4">By Jennifer Rigterink
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<br>No excuses, no exceptions. Grace and charm are coming to Oxford
<br>When she was at school, the little faux pas that a particularly well mannered young lady encountered on a daily basis were enough to make her scream with vexation. So just imagine her shock when, upon entering a university characterised by its fondness for black tie, balls and needless exam attire, she found that there existed a particularly heinous type of Oxford awkwardness bred from single sex boarding schools and Material Science degrees.
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<br>In a fearful fret fit, she wondered how she would be able to cope with these people on a day-to-day basis. She decided to explore a few options. One was to socialise purely with the beautiful and rich, i.e. Brookes’ students. She rightly surmised, however, that it would be pure weakness to abandon the fight so quickly. Her second choice was to join the library army. She quickly vetoed this.
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<br>The third and most appealing option was to peruse Miss Manners’ little black book of social suggestions to ease some of Oxford’s more challenging situations: How to Gently Deflect the Advances of your Tutor’s Spouse The inherently alcoholic nature of Oxford socialising makes these awkward encounters almost inevitable.
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<br>A few glasses of cheap Merlot at Guest Night, and you’re suddenly grasping for reasons to excuse yourself before your tutor’s huS*and finalises your invite to that cosy Cotswold cottage. The trick is to slowly steer the conversation towards yourself and your work, frequently invoking the name of your tutor as a valuable mentor and friend.
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<br>Now is the moment to attack; pause and enthusiastically say, “You’re so lucky to be married to one of the foremost experts in Neo-Renaissance Feminist Propaganda!” This is a delicate feat that, to be performed correctly, requires sensitivity and timing. If it is poorly executed however, anticipate some fairly awkward tutorials for the remainder of the term.
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<br>How to Invite Yourself to Formal Hall with Someone You Barely Know The most important thing about inviting yourself to formal hall is accurate planning and timing. I find it is best to be extremely casual, especially if your target is a new acquaintance. Arrange to meet late in the day, for a very light tea and some relaxed revision. If you’re feeling particularly keen, name a spot that normally closes fairly early in the evening, such as The Rose.
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<br>Then, when you and your victim arrive and the café is shut, it is clear that the chance of you paying for any food is nil. The next few minutes are crucial; chat mainly about how cold it is. And how welcoming a dining hall would be. “Perhaps,” (you will casually suggest), “we should go to the Rad Cam to look over notes?” It is now the moment to pounce; nonchalantly ask if they are attending formal hall that night.
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<br>When your friend answers in the affirmative, carelessly stare into space and shift your bag so that a |
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