Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-08-14
A FRIENDLY CHAT.
Mrs. A1inon Hensley's Running Commen-
tnry Timely Topics.

The ease and grace with which one
introduces two or more people to one
another or to each other is, perhaps,
the sign-ln;nu:l OF that persons
knowledge OF the correct rules Of So
cial Intercourse: for the basis of all
polite acquaintance. the Introduction,
is frequently the first rock OF dis
pleasure or Inconvenience upon Which
etiquette is wrecked Many men and
women who know Intimately far more
complicated points of social cows
nance are checked. often embarrassed
10y the simple function of making two
people known to each other. and, fire.
,upntly, perform the ceremony III a
manner that leaves All irritating i'm
preston upon the minds Of those who
have been Introduced. An awkward
uncungcnial introduction is Il social
crime. 1t may unfortunately create
an unpleasant Impression. and render
two persons inimical to each other
who otherwise would have been de
lighted With the newly formed Ac-
uuai1ltallce.
The first point for consideration is
the certainty Of knowing beforehand
If the TWO parties are willing 10 be.
come acquainted. This point IS
waived in business circles. To IL grc;l.
extent. aud un,i"r certain conditions
i'll miuule-c!asS circles; but it is al
ways Il proper and agreeable motive
| and ;,Il.ni,.: the hest people is an i'm
prralivc rule. Naturally, it is correct
to introduce the Junior to the senior,
the lady 10 illr gentleman. or the per-
SON OF less rank socially. politically OF
otherwise 20 the superior. The Pres
i,irn, Of tic United States. for the
| ,tnr l:r!usc. is tie social superior of
any millionaire of In. Four Hundred.
y convenient form is, Mrs. Mon
! ,a9ur. allow me to make you ac-
| uulinteu with Mr.. BENTLEY: or Miss
| Turner. may have the pleasure Of
| Introducing You to Mr.. Wilson" \
very agreeable way when both par
| ties are ul' the same sex. is, Mrs.
| Ranls,i,u | Sluul,i like Very much To
| HAY: you l.l!uw Miss Brown. 'FhcL.
| Il few words may w. added Of the
| pleasure tho inlru,i.i,.rr has III bring
! in. two ru!t.tl.!al persons together. IL
(, Tho desire IS heartfelt Strict social
| customs are in reality. based upon The.
kin,ili;.St motives. 1t is OF course. i'm
| inrative that the attention OF both
| parties he secured before, Nnr intro
| ,ll;,.ticn is made. as nu1htnE is more
| awkward than the i,attcntiun of one
| or other.
When making two strangers &C
| ,t..1 t.l.i II lhs
casually mention some subject in
which they are likely to find topic
for conversation, for it is very diff
cult for some people to begin Il con.
v,rSatiun With complete strangers
Criticism Of the other guests present.
to which resource some harraSSe,l
people lily. is not altogether safe, put
tin. aside lis utter lack of pnltenesS
ANA the generosity OF heart that is no:
prone. To indulge in invi,ios remarks.
There is the veN,,l question of what
to do With The hands When an intro,
ductinn is in progress: one Sees il
| lawnnY in the eyes vi one not sur.
Of tile. correct etiquette Of the mo
mrnt.
\ h:nt!sl,l;r Of two ladies' Of like
position. newly Introduced, is quito IL
order. hut il is not usual for Il lady
to shake hands when Il gentleman i:
Introduced To her 1t is the lady:
place to offer her hand. if she lie
sr-s. size is perfect master OF this
wight. ANA he omission of her out
stretched han, durs not indicate any
intention Of displaying coldncsS or !:
slight. But the man who offers his
IN,
ignorance OF etiquette. and no law re-
qnres the lady To accept the proticre.
palm, if She does not care to do so
Ordinarily. SIN. would not. for his in
i,ial performance las been offensive
to her sense OF polite ,lccorum.
At :. dinner party. the hostess mus,
Introduce her guests TO one another
hut she cannot he expected to do this
mt 4 crowded "ut home" or evenin.
gathering: it. therefore. becomes per
miSsiblc for The visitors to introduc,
their friends who may be unacQuaint
ell To each other. 1t is also consi,lerc,
natural Inr strangers to address cacl
other casually, il they happen To be
sitting near each other, for the fact
hostess is sufficient social recon-
incubation.
However high the social standing OF
the gentlenul,,. Il lady takes proceed
ance of him. ana he is Introduced tC
her. and the President OF the United
States is no exception to this; rule.
AT Il ball Il gentleman may be in
troaNcel nv a steward. or another
! gentleman recently introduced. hui
the lady is not bound atterwavd tI
acknowledge the person thus made
known TO her.
When making an Introduction. the
names should be uttered clearly and
distinctly. so that there may be nc
doubt about them: and when intro
ducing Il relative. ii is convenient tc
say. My cousin tor brothcrp, Mr.
-" so that the connection may b.
recognized 1t is not necessary to in