Quentin Crisp on ‘American Manners’ (1984)

Quentin Crisp c. 1992 | Photo: Graham Clark

New Year, New Manners. One of the most eccentric men in the history of American dandyism is Quentin Crisp. In this obscure recording from 1984 Crisp discusses his book “Manners from Heaven: a Divine Guide to Good Behaviour.” Is he Gay or English? Same difference right? Of course not.

“If you read a book about manners, you’re ready to kill yourself,” explains Crisp. “because you could do wrong any moment.” Crisp advocated a new American Etiquette — a manners of inclusion. But when you’re dealing with Crisp, few things are black and white. He has a complicated view on the world, one full of contradictions and paradoxes.

“The more English you sound the more likely you are to be believed,” he argued. He’s probably right. Even today, some of the biggest American taste-makers are English — Vogue’s Anna Wintour comes to mind. Mr. Crisp is an increasingly important albeit controversial figure in American gay history. On the one hand, he was one of the most visible gay men of a certain era. On the other hand, he said some really thoughtless things about AIDS — calling HIV/AIDS a “fad.”

HN was invited to see a film based on Crisp’s later life in New York City called, “An Englishman in New York” starring John Hurt, Cynthia Nixon, and Swoosie Kurtz (available on Netflix or Amazon). The film based on lyric by Sting of the same name is more educational than entertaining, though, frankly, anything featuring Crisp’s wit is naturally delightful. As the New Year comes around, perhaps this is a good time to contemplate manners and etiquette. Then again, Crsip also famously said, “Manners are love in a cool climate” — something warm to cling to in an uncertain environment.

More photos by Graham Clark.

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