The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-16
ETIQUETTE OF TRAVELLING.
Sarcastic Remarks Addressed to the
Public Generally.

New York Evening Sun.
Etiquette in general is a well-covered
field. There are whole volumes to tell the
hostess how TO behave, and other whole vol
umes to tell the guests how to conduct
themselves. You cannot fail to know what
to do when you receive an invitation to a
wedding; the books on etiquette attend to
that If you want TO even I'D old debts In
an economical manner you may find adj
vice about afternoon teas and the way to
run them. You need never be in doubt
about the latest law governing calling
cards; just consult the last publication.
But there is one neglected territory, and
the fact that all the other regions have
been so well gone over makes 1T seem all
the more lamentable that this one has been
left TO suffer from neglect.
Not that there isn't an established.
though unwritten, code of directions for the
benefit of the traveller. Gracious, and .
dear yes, and it governs even the question
of holding the entire seat when you are
travelling alone Don't awaken a sleeping
person is one small point, and, therefore,
the traveller who wants to hold the seat
must cultivate the habit of sleeping sound
II just as the train draws into a station.
1t is also a good plan to select a seat near
the rear door of the coach. The new
corners will always pass by in the vain
hope of getting whole seat and only
when they have given up that thought will
they utter the proper little phrase, rs this
seat occupied? Thank you," and settle
wherever they find space.
Etiquette of the common day coach says
Ii is correct to sit next the aisle and gaze
across your own coat and satchel and
out of the window when an influx of
superfous travellers comes on, for, by so
doing, you create the impression that you
don't know the man who owns those
traps but that he'll be back from the
smoker soon. In that way you may show
that you are a clever and experienced
traveller and you may luxuriate in room
while the other sort of person shrinks
down into the corner, overwhelmed by a
large woman carrying a birdcage, a fat
valise and a bunch of autumnal posies.
which she has gathered to carry to her
niece in town.
But it is on the sleeping car. travelling
across the continent, that one should know
the niceties of etiquette. Three or four
days of journeying in the same coach with
the same persons brings up the question
of introductions, and all the knowledge
such as the books of etiquette give when
they state that 1.-THE gentleman should
always be introduced to the lady" and
THE proper form to use in giving an in
PRODUCTION is: Permit me to introduce
edge is as good as useless when you face
the other occupants of the railroad coach
and long to get acquainted.
This longing usually has one day in
which to grow. The first day out is period
of adjustment. No one has really recov-
cred from the furry of preparations and
of good-byes, and no one has become more
than half reconciled to the thought of the
long trip That first day dragS- You size
UP your fellow-travelers and think you do
not want to speak to any of them. They
think the Same about one another and
about you. That frame of mind lasts till
the next morning, and by that time you are
glad to take advantage of the fact that
1t is really the thing to have your intro
auction performed by the children. The
steps are rapid. You talk TO the child
and the child talks to you. The child s
natural guardians smile benignantly in the
meantime. Then you say something to the
child's mother and she responds Soon you
are fairly one OF the family. Other folks
follow your example, and ere long the
whole ooachfu is well acquainted all
through the medium of the amiabe child.
One child is as good as two or three at
the time, and perhaps even better when
once the ice has been broken and the need
of a medium is over. 1t is ever the way
of human nature to slight the mutual
friend who brings two hearts or minds to
gether; her work is done. and the two she
has benefited resent the fact that she has a
right TO feel she has done them benefit.
Just so the child who is the center of at
traction on the morning of the second day
out falls from popular favor and Is tire
some on the afternoon of that day.
But and IL there is no such tool on board,
then the introductions may take place by
way of the smoking room. That is, if you
are and meet the other men in the
smoking room you may get to know them
and then travelling etiquette says they may
introduce you to the women of their fami-
| lies. This mode is more tedious than the
| former one, for often, after cultivating a
masculine ACQUAINTANCE industriously. You
discover that he isn't up in etiquette and
that he evidently doesn't know what is ex-
pected of him. In that case, cultivate a
more seasoned traveller, and quickly, or you
may have a limited acquaintance at the
end Of the journey.
When there is a buffet car attachment it
is hard being woman. You are not ex-
pected to intrude. AS regards the dining
room car it is well to remember that while
you have been going hatless in the sleeper,
you must wear your hat to dinner or lunch
con or whatever the meal may be. There
are certain subtitle distinctions. You may
droop among the pillows and take nap
during the daytime, with all propriety, but
you mustn't so out 10 the dining car with
out your hat.
Then there is the subject of disturbing
the other occupants OF the car by being
noisy at night Snoring is permissible Ii
disturbs others, but ii is difficult thing
to locate the sound, and therefore il is not
6ebarred. Loud talking at night is under
the ban. Every one knows how it seems
TO settle down for the night at 10 o'clock
and then TO wake up at II TO find that the
train has stopped and that some newcom-
ers have boarded the train. Every one
remembers to look for the stranger who
intruded his fresh-air voice at midnight
upon the rumbling silence of the sleeping
| car.
AS to dressing room etiquette. it is the
proper thing 10 be the early bird. No re-
fined person. so it is said. can dress in less
than one hour. The way TO prove YOU
are a thoroughbred is TO arise early and
| gain possession of the dressing room. II.
OF. the last morning. you can keep posses
sion till the final stop has been reached.
you have proved your worth and have
earned the respect and hatred of every
board
The law that applies TO the upper berth
| Is unfair IL you are late In applying for
your place the sleeper and so draw an
upper berth, that fact CONDEMNS you to
| sit with your back 10 the engine during the
daytime. Ii Is WELL under those circum-
stances, TO disregard your natural inciina-
| ton and TO form some friendships on the
J first days journey.