The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1894-04-06
THE INTRODUCTION.

When to Rise and When Not To
When to Bow and When to Shake
Hands.
The various rules of that social
formality-the introduction-are
many.
For young lady to be properly
introduced requires both knowledge
and tact. In this case there are
three modes of introduction. The
presenting of a young gentleman to
a young lady; a young lady intro
duced to a person older than her
self; the introduction of one lady to
another.
A young gentleman wishing an
introduction to young lady ought
always to solicit it either from her
parents or from some married lady
who will vouch for his standing and
character.
After permission is granted, to
the satisfaction of all parties, the
presentation should be made after
the usual prescribed form:
"Allow me to introduce Mr..
Robinson, Miss Smith; l am de
lighted to present him to YOU"
Then the introducing friend retires
and allows conversation between
the two without interruption.
In all cases of introduction the
gentleman should, after being in
troduced, wait for the lady to bow.
1t is her preOrgative to establish
the acquaintance.
On the young lady's part, when
a young gentleman is presented to
her she should not rise; she only in
clines her head, but she takes care
that her eyes are turned toward the
person introduced. Her hands in
restful repose, smile may be given
in a gracious manner, and she may
commence conversation.
" ~
A young lady when presented to
an elderly person or persons who
are evidently older than herself
should rise. The standing of both
parties in a measure determines the
particulars of behavior. But GER
tainly the elderly person should
demand this respect of the younger
when introduced.
In presenting one lady to another
the permission should be secured.
A single woman should be pre-
sented to married lady-not the
reverse. This same law of manners
should and does prevail in the in
Producing of gentlemen to gentle
men.
When a cordiality is to be eX-
pressed the hand should be offered,
although handshaking is not so
general as formerly. "The cere-
monious introduction forbids it,"
In the cases where young people
are introduced to persons older than
themselves the offering of the hand
invariably should come from the
elder never the younger-and
should be carefully received in the
same spirit as it is given.
When a stranger is presented to
any lady acting in the capacity Of
hostess she should extend her hand.
This civility of the home places the
newcomer at ease and secures him
social welcome.
BOWS.
The bow in polite circles is con-
sidered all that is necessary. A
gentleman when given an introduc-
ton to a lady bows. Two ladies
being introduced bow. When
friends meet they bow or nod. A
gentleman when escOrting ladies
raises his hat, which means also a
bow from the ladies should they
recognize a friend. This last rule
is the same in all social circles in
America.
But whenever the introduction
partakes of marked friendly
character then the hand shake be-
comes a go-between,
In all cases the names in an in
PRODUCTION should be pronounced
in clear, distinct manner. An
or carelessness in
this matter is bad form.
Generally speaking, introductions
,n,,Id ,,avar ha oiVan oO tho Straat