Good Form and Christian EtiquetteHenry, S. M. I. (Sarepta Myrenda Irish)
Religion
Good Form and Christian Etiquette
Henry, S. M. I. (Sarepta Myrenda Irish)
Etiquette
“Is it proper for a lady to visit a sick man who is not a relative?”
It is suitable for a woman to accompany her husband _anywhere_. If the
husband intends calling on a man who lives alone, it is a very
neighborly act for his wife to accompany him. A feminine presence might
brighten the home of a social hermit, and would surely be as a
benediction to him if he were an invalid, or in trouble.
In visiting a sick man it would be better for two ladies to go together,
provided no interested man friend or nurse could accompany them. Yet
there might be cases where it would be necessary, and the only Christian
thing, for a woman to call alone, if she must, and render any necessary
care. This should, however, be only in case of necessity. The general
rule should be observed as far as possible, that men should care for
men, and women for women.
“When leaving a reception, dinner, or any private entertainment,
should one bid the hostess good night first before addressing the
others? Or, if there are several ladies belonging to the house, would
it be best to address the eldest lady first? I suppose it would be the
same when entering the house. I would like to know what the rules are
in regard to this, if there are any.”
The hostess takes precedence of all other members of the household for
the time being. If a person is required by circumstances to take an
early leave, and the hostess, as is sometimes the case, be occupied, it
is admissible to address others first. Faultless manners require that if
possible your personal arrangements should be such that you can
accommodate yourself to whatever exigencies may arise, so that without
any stress or pressure of any sort, you can have time to wait for an
opportunity to speak first to the hostess, and announce that you are
taking your leave. Then the way is open for any informal leave-taking
and preparations which you may have to make, reserving the last word for
the host, at the door, unless indeed, as sometimes happens, he stands
beside his wife at the leave-taking as well as the reception.
“Should the host offer to entertain the company himself with music, or
should the visitors invite him to entertain them?”
This depends upon the kind of entertainment, the character of his
visitors, and the proficiency of the host as a musician. If he is really
a musician, and has something which he knows would give pleasure to the
company, it would be expected that he would favor them. A few words of
introduction, not of himself, but of the music, would be appropriate;
but it should be done in the most informal and unobtrusive manner
possible.
“Should one recognize and bow to an acquaintance when upon the
opposite side of the street? If one meets a person with whom she is
but slightly acquainted and bows, then meets him again after an hour
or so, is it necessary to recognize him and bow again? How should a
lady do at the second meeting?”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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