The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1889-02-14
How to Walk with an Escort.

A great many girls seem TO be very
anxious to know just how to walk pro-
perly in the street with gentlemln n
escort. 1t is right and proper that girls
should ask about these things, ifthey are
not settled in their minds concerning
them, and that they should be unwilling
to do anything that might not appear
lady.like. Nextto being in everything
correct and proper comes the appearing
so to Others
The etiquette with regard to the tax.
ing of the arm lies in nutshell. Com.
mon sense and the custom of the country
govern it. Where, as in most American
towns, lady who takes geusleman's
arm in the daytime is supposed to be
engaged to him, it should not be done by
mere friends. In New York it is not
done by any but husband and wife, OF
mother and SOD, as long as daylight lasts.
The members of large, mixed party
walking out of town may always. do it.
The idea, in such a case, is that roads are
rough, and ladies need support, and that
their parasols may be thus carried for
them by their escorts. In, the city, dur
ing a rain. storm most men of elf:posses.
sion will at any hour offer an aa
lady over whose head they are car.
ryipg an umbrella. The reason is obvi.
GUS.
In the evening, after dark, no lady
should ever walk with gentleman in
any city or toar without taking his arm.
This is so imperative that if the gentle
man is too ignorant % know his duty, OF
too bashful to offer his arm, the lady
should signify that she is ready to take it,
after walking few moments. The fact
that she has his arm says to strangers: !:
This gentleman has this lady under
his protection. They are not merely
strangers who have spoken to each other.
In,going to any place of entertainment
the lady should keep the gentleman's
arm until the door of the auditorium is
entered. Then she should drop it and
let him precede her to her seat, which he
will wait for her to enter first, he taking
the outside place. This also is common
sense, as you can see; it gives the gen.
tleman the position ofleader and protec.
tor, which he should always take in
public. He should also, as rule, always
walk on the outside of the pavement,
changing, if a turn alters his position, BY
passing behind the lady and then Offering
his other arm.
There is no familiarity in taking 9
gentleman's arm. There is nothing but
respect implied by the offer oft. It is q
proHer of polite service, and nothing to
feel awkward about or conscious about,
If the arm is taken properly, with one
hand, not thrust too far past the gentle
mans elbow.
The lover.like way of clasping both
hands on the coat.sleeve is only suitable
for moonlight rambles in courting days,
or for very gushing wives during the
honeymoon.
As general thing, ifa gentleman Of
high social position and much experience
of the world offers you his arm-we
suppose you to be young and inexperien-
ced-you may safely takeit, for he will
not do it unless he is sure that it's cor.
rect under the peculiar circumstances.
In crossing q wide street, climbing
over something, passing through a rough
crowd, and in many positions which
might by chance occur, you would be
foolish to decline that crook of the elbow,
even in broad day.
Under general circumstances one
might say: Do not take mere friends
arm by day. Always take an escorts
arm after dark, out Of doors, or in Cross
ing a large room at ball, party or fair,
and in going to supper.
A gentleman should never slip his
hand through lady's arm in walking in
the street. Bashful young men some.
times do it through ignorance; but the
lady should always politely signify that
she prefers to take her escorts arm, ifi'
is at 8 time when the arm should be taker
at all.
What We tell you is for the present
time and for the present American ideas
Should you go abroad you must notice
what the most respectable persons do, o.
ask we'll informed people aJout such
matters, and learn as fast as you can.