New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1885-01-21
MEN AT DINNER.
Hints to Men-How to Dress and Act In PO-
lite Society.

MEN AT DINNER.
Hints to Men-How to Dress and Act in Po-
lite Society.
Men should use as little jewelry as
possible. The watch chain should not
go around the neck, and should be at
tached as high in the vest as it win
reach. One ring may be worn on the
third finger of the left hand. Three
studs in a dress shirt are to be pre-
ferred to one. Scarf pins should be
plain and never worn in knotted scarfs.
Imitation jewelry, particularly mock
diamonds, are the extreme of vulgarity.
Wear your hair short and longer on
the top than at the sides and back of
the head. Part it high up, in the mid
die if you choose Wash the hair fire.
quently with soap and water, and new
er use pomatums or oils of any sort. If
you wear q full beard keep it we'll
trimmed, as we'll as the hair; if you
shave, shave every day. Cut your beard
so as to give regularity to the outline
Of the face, and learn to shave your
self. Keep the nails moderately long,
pointed, and scrupulously clean. Go
regularly to a dentist to have the teeth
exam ned for cavities and brush them
at least twice day.
A few hints on the wearing of clothes
will suffice. A full dress suit-a swal-
low-tail coat, black or white single
breasted vest, white necktie, stand up
collar, high black hat, and light kid
gloves-should never be worn until
even ng, just before dinner A white
necktie should never be worn except
with full dress suit, save by clergy
men and elderl men. Black trousers
should never be worn except in the
evening. Double-breasted frock coats
should always be Of black material At
public entertainment-save the opera
-double-breasted coat, dark trousers,
and light kid gloves are worn. At home
the first consideration with everybody
is comfort; but no gentlemen will ev-.
er sit down TO table in his shirt sleeves.
Perhaps the dinner table is, of all
places, the one where man can least
afford to ignore social observances,
and here the well-bred man and the
ill-bred man are most strongly con-
trastcd. An invitation to dine should
be promptly replied to, whether you
&C ept or decline. 1t is sufficient to
say:
Mr.. - has the pleasure to. accept
Mr.. and Mrs. IS kind invitation to
dinner on the -.
If the inv itation be declined some
good reason should be stated:
MIR. regrets that owing to u
previous engagement he can not have
the pleasure Of accepting Mr.. and Mrs.
IS kind invitation for the -
Having accepted an invitation, be
punctual. On arriving pay your re-
spects to the hostess first of all If she
cares to greet you in that way she will
make su an advance. When you
leave don't take leave of the whole
company individually. 1t is enough to
bid your hostess and her family adieu.
there is a lady with you she does not
enter the drawing-room on your arm,
but little in advance of you. Wa tiers
only wear gloves to dinner parties.
You will not choose the lady you take
in to dinner-that is your hostess priv
ilege. Sit close to the table when you
get there, and don't use your napkin
as bib. Don't play with the table
implements. Take soup from the side
Of the spoon. Keep the handles of your
knife and fork exactly in the palms of
your hands. The fork is used to con-
| vey all food to the mouth that does not
require spoon. The knife is only used
in this way by the low-brcd people. If,
I however, you happen to get in such a
! party, use the instrument as the rest
! do. He who advised us ''to do in Rome
as the Romans do was true gentle
man. 1t is better to eat asparagus
with fork, and never gnaw green
corn from,the cob. Cut it off with a
knife and eat it with fork. Cheese is
never touched with the fingers, but eat
en- with fork on bit OF bread. Bread
should be broken. Cultivated people
never butter a large slice of bread and
bite into It. Never use your own knife
or .ork to help another, or put your
own knife into the butter or salt. Re-
, move fruit bits and skins from your
mouth with the left hand. Take hold
of wine glass by its stem, and never
drink from saucer or blow on bev
erage to cool it. Masticatc with your
mouth shut, and don't talk with a full
mouth. When you talk of wine say
simply "claret," or ''port," never
"claret wine,' port wine" Finally,
If you would act well abroad be care
full to observe the prop ieties at home.
If man would appear like gentle
one. In all attitudes he should avoid
all appearances of self-consciousness
Therefore, among strangers, he will
stand erect and still, and not loll or
lounge on chair. In bowling, take
plenty of time. Don't jerk the hat off
and sling it back as soon as possible.
A well-bred man removes his hat in t e
presence of ladies in any rooted pub
lie place, and when he does them,
though strangers, a favor. Unless you
are well acquainted with woman let
her bow first; but between old acquain-
tan es such ceremony is nee less. When
walking with male acquaintance you
must salute his lady friends by raising
your hat also. Never stop long to con-
verse in the street. Don't smoke in
public places where there are women,
unless such is the custom Of all fire.
luenters. A cigar in a mans mouth
in the daytime, on the street, vulgar
ICES his appearance. Remember that
a gentleman is always introduced to a
lady; never otherwise unless in the case
of the President. If you are at dane
ing party dance: If you can't dance
well, stay at home. Don't play cards
among strangers for money, and al
ways keep a lookout for the opportuni-
] ty of doing a courtesy. An observance
& of these hints will email most mon tn
appear well.-Nev York Star.
Beating Into The Theater.