The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-04-19
EDITORS CHAT.
A Few Things the C. c. are Thinking About
in Ethics and Morals.
IS 1T PROPER?

A Few Things the C. c. are Thinking About
in Ethics and Morals.
is IT PROPER?
l. Is il proper TO excuse yourself upon leav-
ing the table at which strangers are seated?
2. Is it proper to remove your glove upon
shaking hands?
3. Is it necessary to bow when passing per-
sen upon the street whom you have met short
time before?
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS.
To the above questions in etiquet, nicely pre-
scented in correct grammatical form and good
penmanship, il is a pleasure to reply at length.
First be it remembered. that good manners
do not find expression so much in words as IN
department and unless one continually prac-
tees the best rules of etiquet, at home and
among his everyday associates, he will either
forget them entirely when he goes into com
pany or entirely Overdo the matter and make
himself appear elusive and ridiculous.
In answering yes to the first question, it is
presumed that the table at which strangers are
seated is the home table, and the mother of the
house is presiding with her family and guests
al around her. A member Of the family de-
sires to leave the table and he excuses himself
But to whom is the excuse directed? Not to
the company, certainly, for the company are
but guests of his mother and should one of the
guests rise the excnse would be directed to her.
No. the excuse is directed to his mother, the
hostess of the occasion, who is supposed TO
stand for the company. So on rising he turns
TO her aud says: Excuse me, please" or " May
I be excused" and retires from the table.
But this custom should not be observed alone
when guests are seated at the table. If but you
and your mother are dining alone you should
excuse yourself if wishing TO rise first In all
well-regulated families this is made require
ment of children, and they would no more think
of leaving table without presenting their ex-
cuses than they would of coming to the table
r.-s%L bod I,osV 4 had
The more quietly young people can make
their excuses upon retiring from the table the
better; but older people, upon ezcusing them
selyes to their hostess, Will, in a general way,
include the whole company. He will rise,
glance at his hostess, aud then with a slight
inclination Of the head to the whole company,
be may say, az hope you will excuse me.
But business before pleasure, you know" or
some pleasant remark of like character.
OF course, when the host or hostess leaves the
table, the excuse must be general and take in
the whole company.
Never excuse yourself at public table, I'M
less TO your companion at your side; but If
friends are around you, whom You are In the
habit of meeting, and they glance up at you
you rise. as they are pretty sure to do, give
them look of recognition and incline your
head slightly. 1t costs you nothing to be polite
and it tells the whole story of your home breed
ing.
If your hand is well gloved for the parlor or
street, never remove it upon shaking hands
with your friends If. on the contrary, you
are wearing heavy driving gloves, such as slip
on and of easily and are intended for rough
wear only, always remove them on shaking
hands.
And while upon this subject be sure to bear in
mind the fact that one is we'll dressed who
has on soiled or torn gloves. If you have need
TO economic in gloves do not do so by wearing
them until they are filthy and malodorous. If
you are going to place of social meeting carry
your best gloves in your pocket until you get
there or draw mittens over them.
3. Yes, you should always bow to person
who has been presented to you, whether your
meeting again is soon or late. Except, that
should you have had an acquaintance thrust
upon you, as people sometimes will, in these
days of promiscuous introduction, and desire
to show that you would have no further social
intercourse with the Objectionable party, you
will not bow. This is called "cutting an ac-
0uaintanea0