Life — April 24, 1890 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Social Nuisances: The Man Who Sings Through His Nose" This is a satirical illustration depicting a common social annoyance of the era. The caption identifies the subject as someone who sings through his nose—a habit apparently considered a notable breach of etiquette in refined company. The scene shows an elegant drawing room or parlor where four well-dressed people (three men in evening wear and a woman in formal dress) are gathered. Their body language and expressions suggest they are enduring the performance with varying degrees of displeasure or resignation—a commentary on how social conventions often force people to tolerate annoying behavior politely rather than object openly. This appears part of a "Social Nuisances" series mocking various irritating behaviors in polite society, using humor to critique both the offenders and the awkward social conventions that enable their annoying habits.