The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1901-11-17
THE DUTIES OF A GUEST.

------------------
an invitation for dinner or luncheon, and
yet 1t would be far simpler to repeat such
occasions of entertaining friend than
to plan twice for his reception at one
house for visit of several days.
prompt reply is especially important In
such Invitations. since the plans of the
hostess are contingent upon the answer,
and possibly those of some of her friends
as well. A telegram stating the exact
time of ones expected arrival is often q
satisfaction to a hostess, even If 1T has
been previously agreed upon. 1t is an as
surance that nothing has occurred to al
ter the original plan.
1t is. of course, super1uous to sug-
gest that guest is bound by every law
of courtesy to conform in everything to
the habits of the household as far as
possible. The most agreeable visitors are
these who make no trouble for any one,
who find everything pleasant that their
hostess arranges for them, who in little
unsolicited ways are ready to make them
selves useful. The gifts and accomplish
ments of all should be at the call of their
hosts. Every one should be able to make
some contribution to the general enter
tainment, and with cheerful alacrity. but
with no shade of ostentation. be ready
to comply with the slightest intimation
Of host and hostess of their desire for as
sistance.
A guest should never appear thought
less of or Indifferent to the convenience
Of the rest. Some persons think that be-
cause they are visitors they need be only
the recipients of attention. They should
fall in readily with any plan proposed for
their pleasure, but must not seem depend-
ent for amusement.
A woman NAV take some bit OF work
with her, or a book that she has already
begun. that she may not appear to be
waiting helplessly to be provided with
entertainment She may take nap-or
pretend to do so-or propose to withdraw
to her room under pretext of letters to
write; and man may tramp, read or
practice at some sport. IL 1t be suspected
that the hosts have something to occupy
them, or even to relieve them of their con-
tinuous society.
Punctuality at all times should be felt
to be an obligation. When outside guests
are invited the house party should be in
the drawing-room promptly to receive
them or to be presented being, in a sense.
part of their hosts family during their
stay.
If family worship Is a custom and the
hour is mentioned to guests their pres
ence is obligatory: but If not invited. it
would be an intrusion
If anything unpleasant occur. a guest
should see nothing. but maintain dis
Greet Observation-Disclosures; and the whole
decalogue of good behavior is broken al
once If one visitor criticises to another
either a fellow guest or a member of the
hosts family. or discusses any of their
affairs or interests unless 1t be to praise.
The Guests Room.
The rooms allotted to visitors are gen.
orally dainty, and often contain choice
articles that require careful use. Often
cherished belongings are taken from ac-
customed places to minister to a guests
comfort or pleasure, who will. of course.
keep the room in an orderly manner and
handle its pretty accessories with due
regard to their delicacy. The presence of
visitors adds appreciably to the servants
regular duties; so 1t is only just to tighten
them as far as may be, and ask no special
service If ii can be avoided.
1t is a matter of bedroom etiquette to
leave the room always in perfect order.
In the morning the windows should be
opened, the bed clothes turned back to be
aired and the towels hung in place.
A thoughtful hostess will offer maids
services to unpack the boxes of her
guests. The servants should be pleas
antly thanked for any service and upon
leaving, visitors should conform to custom
in giving a gratuity to such as have ad-
ministered to them personally.
Well-Bred Guests.
Well-bred guests keep their belongings
carefully confined to the portion of the
house that is temporarily assigned to
them, awaiting themselves only of the
closets and drawers that have been placed
at their disposal.
They do not take books and magazines
to their rooms without the express per-
mission of the hostess. These are for the
beneft of all the visitors. They never
ride borrowed horse too far or too fast.