The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-07-21
EDITORS CHAT.
ETrQUET OF SHOPPING.

VI efiOPPlNC.
Nowhere il there SO marked difference between
the refined and the rude as in the drygoods store.
There. if ever. the true quality of the woman
shows itself.
II there is selfshness and meanRess In human
composition il makes itself felt in petty barter and
trade and many a woman in shining finery takes
the guise OF terror when she stands to confront
the drygoods clerk.
Pity il is that some of the women that make the
rounds Of shopping could not read their mental
portraits written down in the memoranda OF the
statesmen whose patience they tax beyond en-
dursuce. The clerks In a drygoods store become
experts in reading the human face and learn to
know at glance whether the woman who enters
comes 10 Maggie or to buy. They know who means
business and who will nave all the stock in the
store tsmbIed upside down aud leave without hay
ing made up her mind
They know the professional shopper, who goes
about 70 aInuse herself and the styles equally
with the bargain driver. who viii spend hours Of
time and whole hides Of shoe-leaiher going from
store 10 store TO cent yard Of calico or n
nickel a web Of cloth. They know the tiresome
class Of dickerers they have deal with when they
up web of print. and label It fire sale" or
throw a stack of miscellaneous articles the side
walk, ito close cot big bankrupt stock" Dis
honest purchasers make dishonest statesmen. but In
this case each knows the weakness of the other
and winks at t.
When you go shopping do not enter the store as
though you were crying sale, talking loud. and
making everyone jump at your bidding. Know
beforehand what you going to buy and your
purchases will be made in half the time. Consider
beforehand what you afford and do not keep
the tired clerk standing on one foot while you de.
liberaie
nyou take a friend along do not think OF intro
ducing her 10 everyone you meet. to tine preoc-
cnpied clerk. who has no time for social chat. At
tend strictly to business. and you viii receive the
thanks Of everybody. DO not ask for samples of
everything you see. or have thinss spread out you
never intend DO buy. Remember there are real pur-
chasers waiting, and that false presenses In dry
goods store are no better than anywhere else.
Think well before you leave your home what
you want and what you afford. and do not
order things with the privilege of returning unless
there is some special reason for SO doing. Do not
Let yourself be pressed into purchase and do not
airy to beat down the salesman after he has told
you he has given you the least selling price, Do
not treat him as though you believed him sort
OF highway sn. ready TO take advantage of you
nj every turn.
BE considerate. be careful. but do not stand upon
rifle. and never buy thing because It Ia q bar
gsin or because H Is cheap The best IL alwavs
the cheapest. IL you have the money to spend for
st. But lyon cannot pay good prices do rot abuse
clear 10 give his goods away.
Remember. good breeding shines brighter In
the street than in the parlos, and that there are
better things la life than 10 harsss q clerk or get
your goods for nothing.