Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-08-29
STREET MANNERS.

The kitchen fireside and the parlor are not
the only places where good and bad manners
may be seen. Persons will show their
breeding at the church, in the cars, and upon
the street But it is street manners with
which we have to do, at this time. Some
persons cannot pass you without a flourish
of politeness that overwhelms one and would
embarrass Frenchnan, or they salute YOU
with bow or a twist of the face, between a
writhe and a frown, that puts one in an
agony. The look and expression of such
persons make it punishment to meet and
pass them. There is another class that sell
dom speak at all. They do not trouble them.
selves with such matters-do not deal in such
small commodities as pleasant salutations.and
street courtesies-not they.
There is another class, unfortunately too
| small-we wish it were larger-who salute
you pleasantly, courteously. 1t is neither
overdone, nor an exhibition of forced. dis,
torted ciTility. There is q something in the
manner and tone Of such-we can hardly tell
what it is-that makes it pleasure to meet
them. 1t is something that cmanates or
leaps forth spontaneously, and is the offspring
OF warm and generous nature, and refined
taste, though, those in whom it is found as
often dwell in cottage as palace
One man-yes, man, since he wears the
human form-but we will not call him +, zen
tleman, will run you down with wheel
barrow, unless perchance by great efforts and
dexterity, you succeed in getting out of his
way. Another will take the middle of the
sidewalk, or the best half of the side Won
are on, and compel you TO step aside or run
against him. Others will cross the streets
or rush along the sidewalk in a furious man
ner, and compel you to halt, or be run down.
We think this running down practice quite
too common. The struggle with many seems
to be, as to which shall secure the advantage
by getting the start of the other. Running
down ships is rather bad business. bu, II is
nothing to running down people in the streets
in frequency of course
But to be entirely serious-if people would
be little more courteous upon the streets,
and show at least spirit of accommodation,
it would contribute greatly to the convenience
and comfort of all who have occasion to fire..
quent them for business or pleasure.
We will venture few suggestions or Iii.
rections upon this subject =
l. Let every person take little pains to
pleasantly and courtcously salute his friends
and acquaintances upon the streets. 1t costs
nothing and is of piuch value.
q Turn out for others, certainly half way,
and always step to the right Don't hit them
with your market basket, nor run on to them
with your wheel barrow or hand cart, or run
over ladies and children with a horse and
carriage. In crossing streets, don't rush sc
as to compel others to fall back or come into
most unpleasant, not to say dangerous col.
lisiOn.
D. Children instead of standing in the mid.
Ole OF the sidewalks and getting in the way
while at play, as they now do, should step
aside, especially for older persons, and make
1t point always to keep out of the way. W,
would suggest that older persons would dc
well to stand less upon the sidewalks and nj
the corners of streets.
4. IN market days, it would save a grea,
zeal OF annoyance and delay, if those who
wish to buy would commence on the soul
siue oil square, and go up next to the stree
and wagons, and those who have made theil
purchases, or wish to trade in the shops tax,
The opposite side of the square and 90 down
me present practice is exceedingly confused
~hn inconvenient The method suggested
"Ip'u ", We orderly and convenient.
~, might speak of the practice OF allowing
emu cni,ureh 10 play noisily in front of other peo
pies houses and even upon their stons r. :.
smoking cigars on the streets, in the cors
stores and depots, to say nothing Of bo,el,
and private apartments occupicd hy ,a,, o,h,',
persons = of whistling and singing latc =,
night, and many other things per,ain;na =,
street manners. But what we have soi1 :,
py way of suggestion, and is sufficient 70,
ihose who can be reached by anything tbs,
others might say. If we could induce on,
citizens to adopt the Eastern custom of al.
ways turning to the right, this alone would
more than compensate US for this article
yes dozen such. 80