RULES OF ETIQUETTE.
ETIQUETTE OF DANCING PARTIES.
A large number of the Colored race is conscien-
tiously opposed to this form of amusement, but I am
not. It is no part of my purpose to discuss the ethics
of dancing. I may say, however, that the prejudice
against this form of amusement is passing away. The
people who do^ not believe in dancing are not to be
sneered at but should be respected ; none but ill-bred
people will ridicule them because every one has a right
to think as he pleases. My advice to young ladies is
never tO' attend mixed dancing parties, nor go to
balls unless they are given with great care. And in
dancing with youijg gentlemen hold yourself at a re-
spectable distance. The round dance of the day is in
my mind vulgar.
Dancing, like all other amusements, if managed in a
proper manner, I am not prepared to say is harmful.
Invitations to dancing parties should be sent from ten
days to three weeks in advance.
The idea of the mixed dance is the dance where all
classes of people are likely to attend.
ETIQUETTE OF PUBLIC PLACES.
All well-bred people should be polite at all times
and in all places ; this includes both equals and in-
feriors. We cannot of course touch on all the little
69
points which arise in the daily contact of individuals ;
we will endeavor to mention the more important of
those well-established customs of good society which
should be observed in public places.
STREET ETIQUETTE.
When a funeral procession is passing, do not at-
tempt to cross the street between the carriages. This
is disrespectful. When walking on the street keep to
the right. A gentleman walking alone, however,
should give preference, when it would be acceptable,
to ladies, elderly gentlemen or any one heavily bur-
dened. A lady does, not take the arms of two gentle-
men at the same time. When two gentlemen walk
with a lady one should gO' on each side. If it is rain-
ing and the party has only one umbrella the gentle-
man should give the umbrella to the lady.
ACQUAINTANCE.
On meeting acquaintances on the street, bow the in-
stant the eyes meet. A bow necessitates no- further ac-
quaintance, and a cut direct should not be given with-
out good reason.
It is not considered good form to introduce your
companion tO' every acquaintance you meet when
walking, or in the street cars or elsewhere.
These indiscriminate introductions serve no good
end, so they are needless.
Introductions should be desired before they are
given.
In country districts the custom of bowing to the
strangers you meet in passing along the road is very
polite, and strangers are pleased with such a courtesy.
70
ETIQUETTE FOR GENTLEMEN.
A gentleman walking- with a lady offers her his
right arm. There was an old custom oi offering the
left arm which arose in the days when a gentleman
kept his sword arm free to protect himself, or the
lady he escorted. The passing now, however, is all
tO' the right.
It is no longer the custom for a lady to change from
one side to the other in crossing the street, unless she
would be better shielded by so' doing.
The custom of giving the "wall" or "inside" to a
lady, arose in olden times when sidewalks w^ere un-
known, and such a custom was needed to shield the
lady, but it is out of date now.
Try tO' keep step when walking wlith another.
A gentleman walking with a lady offers her his arm
in the evening.
Page 28
Presented as published in 1905. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
RULES OF ETIQUETTE.
ETIQUETTE OF DANCING PARTIES.
A large number of the Colored race is conscientiously opposed to this form of amusement, but I am not. It is no part of my purpose to discuss the ethics of dancing. I may say, however, that the prejudice against this form of amusement is passing away. The people who do not believe in dancing are not to be sneered at but should be respected ; none but ill-bred people will ridicule them because every one has a right to think as he pleases. My advice to young ladies is never to attend mixed dancing parties, nor go to balls unless they are given with great care. And in dancing with young gentlemen hold yourself at a respectable distance. The round dance of the day is in my mind vulgar.
Dancing, like all other amusements, if managed in a proper manner, I am not prepared to say is harmful. Invitations to dancing parties should be sent from ten days to three weeks in advance.
The idea of the mixed dance is the dance where all classes of people are likely to attend.
ETIQUETTE OF PUBLIC PLACES.
All well-bred people should be polite at all times and in all places ; this includes both equals and inferiors. We cannot of course touch on all the little
points which arise in the daily contact of individuals ; we will endeavor to mention the more important of those well-established customs of good society which should be observed in public places.
STREET ETIQUETTE.
When a funeral procession is passing, do not attempt to cross the street between the carriages. This is disrespectful. When walking on the street keep to the right. A gentleman walking alone, however, should give preference, when it would be acceptable, to ladies, elderly gentlemen or any one heavily burdened. A lady does, not take the arms of two gentlemen at the same time. When two gentlemen walk with a lady one should go on each side. If it is raining and the party has only one umbrella the gentleman should give the umbrella to the lady.
ACQUAINTANCE.
On meeting acquaintances on the street, bow the instant the eyes meet. A bow necessitates no further acquaintance, and a cut direct should not be given without good reason.
It is not considered good form to introduce your companion to every acquaintance you meet when walking, or in the street cars or elsewhere.
These indiscriminate introductions serve no good end, so they are needless.
Introductions should be desired before they are given.
In country districts the custom of bowing to the strangers you meet in passing along the road is very polite, and strangers are pleased with such a courtesy.
ETIQUETTE FOR GENTLEMEN.
A gentleman walking- with a lady offers her his right arm. There was an old custom of offering the left arm which arose in the days when a gentleman kept his sword arm free to protect himself, or the lady he escorted. The passing now, however, is all to the right.
It is no longer the custom for a lady to change from one side to the other in crossing the street, unless she would be better shielded by so doing.
The custom of giving the "wall" or "inside" to a lady, arose in olden times when sidewalks were unknown, and such a custom was needed to shield the lady, but it is out of date now.
Try to keep step when walking with another.
A gentleman walking with a lady offers her his arm in the evening.