Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-12-28
SOCIAL ETIQUETTE IN MEXICO.

In the center of the town is the Plaza
Major, which is an open plat of ground of
about the same size as one of the squares
of Chicago. 1t is one of Chihuahua most
attractive places, being filed with flowers,
and surrounded by fine walk, lined with
seats, where both natives and foreigners
gather twice a week and listen to the ex.
cellent music of the military band. Music
is given every Thursday and Sunday
evening, from until 10 o'clock, and these
are called music nights. Sunday evening
is the principal music night of the week,
and then the town can be seen at its best.
1t is then very interesting place, being
filed with gayly dressed ladies and gentle
men of all ages, nationalities and coun-
tries, who make this the pleasure evening
of the week. There is none of the loud
talking and laughing so common in the
United States, all being quiet and subdued.
and all seeming to be enjoying themselves.
1t is certainly very pretty sight to see
the brilliantly dressed ladies and gentle
men walking among the flowers, keeping
step to the music of fine orchestra, and
all in the cool and invigarating air SO COM
men to this climate According to the
custom of the country the ladies, both
young and old, promenade the place by
walking round and round, always going
from right to left, while the gen.
tlemen all walk from left to right,
thus meeting each other twice in
going around the plaza once. This custom
dates back to time immemorial" and is
a part of the etiquette Of the country.
There is probably no country in the world
where etiquette is more strictly observed
than in Mexico, and the following are some
OF its peculiarities The windows OF all
the residences in Northern, and might
say in all, Mexico are barred with an iron
or wooden grating, projecting few inches
toward the sidewalk and forming sort OF
balcony. The object of this is to separate
all gentlemen not properly introduced and
vouched for from meeting the ladies of the
house. No gentleman is allowed to call
upon lady until after he has been regu-
larry introduced by some intimate friend
or relative of the family, who becomes re-
sponsible for the visitors conduct. This
is never done until his character, personal
habits, and the standing of his family are
known. If the introduction and standing
of the party are satisfactory he is then per-
mitted to call upon the lady of the house,
and she can receive him only in the pres
ence of some member of the family or
trusted friend, who is expected not to leave
the room while the caller is present. If
the caller is young man and he calls upon
a young lady, then her mother or some
lady friend of the family is always present,
and she does most of the entertaining.
When the young man calls three or four
times it is presumed that he knows what
he wants, and it is therefore expected that
ne will at once seek the hand of the
lady in marriage, but if he fails TO
declare his Intentions, then the
father or the oldest son, if living-if not,
then the uncle or some other member of
the famiIy-invites the young gentleman
to come forward and state the objects Of
his visits or discontinue them. The young
ladv is never allowed to ride or drive alone
with the gentlemen neither is she allowed
to walk upon the street, visit any friend,
nor attend public ball, unless she is ac-
companied by some member of the family
or a trusted lady friend. Neither gentle
man or lady is expected to either converse
or promenade the street or plaza, or to ex-
change any but the commonest cOurteslee.
Alter DGlug lubIuNuCcCJ VIC S5SHtAtIlAoA 40
always expected to recognize the lady first,
and if he tails to do that soon after his in.
PRODUCTION, it is understood that he desires
to cut her acquaintance. AT public ball,
or at a dinner at the house OF a friend,
then both ladies and gentlemen may dance
and converse at pleasure, for then they are
in the presence of mutual friends. If the
gentleman desires to form the acquaintance
Of lady, or has not been properly intro
duced and vouched for, then he can only
admire her at a distance, send billets doux,
or at least talk to her through the bars of
her window, which is only large enough to
admit the hand and arm. 1t is a common
sight to see young Mexicans standing be-
fore the windows OF the houses, with one
hand on the window bars, and the other
holding the inevitable cigarette, laughing
and chatting, as if he were the most privi-
legged of wooers.-[Correspondence Inter
0spay,