You are seeing our new document Reader view. Click here to revert. Feel free to leave us feedback on this feature here.

Embed Doc
Copy Link
Readcast
Collections

CommentGo Back

Download

THE BOOK OF GOOD MANNERS

A GUIDE TO POLITE USAGEFOR ALL SOCIAL FUNCTIONS

W. C. GREEN

THE BOOK OF GOOD MANNERS is a complete and authentic authorityon every single phase of social usage as practiced in America. The authorhas compiled the matter in dictionary form in order to give the reader thedesired information as briefly and clearly as possible, and with the leastpossible effort in searching through the pages.ACCEPTING OR DECLINING INVITATIONS. See INVITATIONS,ACCEPTING OR DECLINING.ACCIDENTS. See STREET ETIQUETTE--MEN--ACCIDENTS.ADDRESS. The address of a person may be stampedon the stationery.If the address is stamped, it is not customaryto stamp also the crest or monogram.ADDRESSING ENVELOPES.MEN. A man should be addressed as Mr. JamesJ, Wilson, or James J. Wilson, Esq. Eitherthe Mr. or the Esq. may be used, but notthe two together.The title belonging to a man should begiven. It is not customary to use Mr. orEsq. when Jr. or Sr. is used.WOMEN. A woman's name should always havethe Miss or Mrs.A woman should never be given her husband'sofficial title, as Mrs. Judge Wilson.If a woman has a title of her own, she

should be addressed as Dr. Minnie Wilson,when the letter is a professional one. Ifa social letter, this should be Miss MinnieWilson, or Mrs. Minnie Wilson.ADDRESSING PERSONS. Young girls should be spokenof as Minnie Wilson, and not as Miss Minnie,but are personally addressed as Miss Minnie.Only the greatest intimacy warrants a manin addressing a young girl as Minnie.Parents should introduce their daughteras My daughter Minnie, but should speakof them before servants as Miss Minnie.A married woman should be spoken of asMrs. Agnes Wilson, and personally addressedas Mrs. Wilson.ADDRESSING AND SIGNING LETTERS. All answers toinvitations should be addressed to the partyissuing them.Letters to a woman who is a comparativestranger may begin My dear Mrs. Wilson,and to a closer acquaintance Dear Mrs.Wilson.Letters to a man who is a comparativestranger may begin My dear Mr. Wilson,and to a closer acquaintance Dear Mr.Wilson.For forms of addressing persons with titles,as Mayor, see under that title--as, Mayor,Governor.The letters may end, Sincerely yours, orVery truly yours, or I remain yours withkindest regards.The signature of a man should be John J.Wilson or J. Jones Wilson.An unmarried woman should sign socialletters as Minnie Wilson, and a business letteras Miss Minnie Wilson. A married womanshould sign a social letter as Agnes Wilson.In signing a business letter, a married womanmay either sign her name Mrs. Agnes Wilson,or, preferably,Agnes Wilson

(Mrs. John Wilson)AFTERNOON CALLS. These should be made betweenthree and half-past five, and if possible onregular at home days.In making an afternoon call a man shouldwear the regulation afternoon dress.DRESS--MEN. Afternoon dress consists of adouble-breasted frock coat of dark material,and waistcoat, either single or double-breasted, of same, or of some fancy materialof late design. The trousers should be oflight color, avoiding of course extremes inpatterns.White or delicate color linen shirts shouldbe worn, patent leather shoes, silk hat andundressed kid gloves of dark color.Afternoon dress is worn at weddings, afternoonteas, receptions, garden parties, luncheons,church funerals, and at all afternoonfunctions.See also EVENING DRESS--MEN. MORNINGDRESS--MEN.AFTERNOON RECEPTIONS. See AFTERNOON TEAS.GIVEN BY BACHELORS, See BACHELORS' TEAS.AFTERNOON TEAS (FORMAL). These are very successfulas a rule, due perhaps to their small expenseand few exactions, and are given withmany purposes: to introduce young womeninto society, to allow a hostess to entertain anumber of her friends, to honor some womanof note, etc.A formal afternoon tea is one for whichcards have been issued, naming set date.Awnings and carpet should be providedfrom curb to house. A man should be stationedat the curb to open carriage doors andcall them when the guests leave, and anotherAfrican Teas man should be in attendance at thefront door to open it the moment a guest appearsat the top step and to direct him to the dressing-room.