Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-20
THE SHOP GIRL N LONDON.
How She Differs Prom Her American st.ssrs
On the Same Occupaticn.

I'm the Same Occupation.
London Letter 10 IN. Philadelphia. Times.
Leaving the girls behind his wooden counter
TO decide what they shall eat aud drink n
dinner I began = tour Of the place and "a.
given an opportunity 60 talk with any Of the
employees desired. and 20 question them With
out the surveillance OF the Young man Who
was assigned 20 the duty Of taking me about.
In every nook and corner there was some queer
phase Of this singular life constantly presenting
itself. running all the way from the highest
class Of dry goods 20 the place where thew kep,
dogs. birds aud other live stock for sale. One
thing WAS always noticeable: that was the neat
ness in dress and the good manners and polite
ness Of the attendants. In most instance, I'M.
was in marked contrast 60 the half-petulnut
manner in which shop girls are apt 20 wait
upon customers in the United States. Then
the uniformity In dress among the women
clerks is very attractive. The tight-ntting
black gowns. relieved with white a, the neck
and the wrists. set Of their perfect figures "a
perfection, and their good manners made
1idiness in dress. well politeness IN
speech are valuable requisites for the English
working girl. and they cultivate theS. graces
TO the limit II they want 20 succeed and keep
their places.
How they dress and look so well Is puzzle
20 the American mind until careful inquiry b.
made. The salcswomeu in the dress and cloak
department Of the great establishments like
Whiteleys or the "sweller' shops in Regent or
Bond streets are the hest dressed women an
England. save those who dress for show m the
afternoon and evening. with plenty of mean. TO
indulge their tastes for handsome garments
They wear tight-fitting black silk gowns Of rich
pattern, with demi-trslns. They are usually
tall, hne-looking women, and as they go about
their business they make very interesting
contrast 10 the regular female customer Who
has run out in her morning gown 20 do a little
shopping. They have tact. plenty Of patience
and. as a rule, good knowledge oi hur,an
nature. They are brought into contact with
all classes Of people and IL they did not learn
something il would be remarkable What IL
true Of the women workers az Mhiteley's j.
also true Of those who work in any Of the
stores. / use Mhiteleys n an example because
II is such a typical place and the starting point
OF my Investigations into the habits. conditions
and control OF large number of women in the
United Kingdom.
IL IL by no means easy 20 measure and con-
trast the different classes of female labor a. We
ind Il here and in the United States. Nearly
all the stores where women are EMPLOY "a
board their help, both male and q male. Rooms
are fitted mp for their accommodation in the
upper stories and they are obliged 70 accept
the conditions the merchant imposes unless
they happen TO be married. Then thew are
permitted to sleep at home. with an extra al
n
large parlor provided with a piano. q library
with books and other arrangements tor the en-
tertainment Of the girls after working hours.
Wine or beer is usually served at dinner. aud
ONE of the higher grades of employees have
their choice of beverages. In the larger estab-
hshments the merchants encourage their peo-
pie TO form social clubs and provide for them
various kinds OF amusements TO help them pass
away the time. Lectures and smoking con-
certs are quite frequent and great deal Of
care Is taken by the employer 10 keep
his help in good temper. The re-
strictlons which this mode of life imposes
would be very obnoxious TO an American
girl In fact, few women in our country
would submit 70 the general arrangements that
are here imposed for the control Of those who
labor in shops. The doors of these great lodg-
ing houses, as they may properly he called.
are closed at IL clock at night, and there Is
no admission after that hour. With this excep-
ton there are no restrictions and the girls are
at liberty to come and go as they please. The
moral effect of this housing of a large number
OF young women together may be questioned.
but II does not Seem 20 disturb the average
conditions of English life. But il would seem
TO an American TO be more OF less demoraliZing.
liz would be IN our country. but the lives Of
these people seem 60 be settled that nothing
affects them. They are not seriously disturbed
by ambitions, and appear quite satisfied 10 re-
main clerks as long as they are obliged 10 labor.
From their standpoint, then, they are well OF.
for they have no care 10 where they shall
sleep or how they shall get something 10 eat
The care with which a merchant looks after
the physical welfare OF his working people 10
very interesting phase Of this inquiry.