Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1902-06-12
MANNERS NOT so GOOD AS DUR
ING OTHER DAYS.
lMPoLlTE
CIGAR
T HE
Few Men Indeed Who, Meeting a
Lady, Will Throw His Smoke Away
Code of CiviIities Now Pre-
vailing a Shorthand Affair-oId
Style Courtesy.


deplored in print the decadence of
young peoples manners and the I'M
ceremoniousness, not to say slangi-
ness, of their speech. Any one who
has given thought and observation to
the question will admit that the asser-
ton is not altogetr er unjust nor I'M
founded. 1t is probable that we shall
never-and perhaps hardly to be de-
sired is it that we should-revert to
the style of address that prevailed in
Sir Walter SCOTS time, when it was
fashionable to salute any acquaint-
in the third person. as ".Am to infer
from Miss last remark that she
does me the honor to concur in my
last sentiments?" or, May one who
can offer no homage save that of graf
itude take this opportunity of express
- so delieately confers?" These
fiowery sentences would seem absurd
now, and should the most chivalrous
young man in Philadelphia accost
belle at the Horse Show in such man.
ner she would regard him as extra
ordinary indeed.
But there is whole world of diff
ference between these grandiloquent
sentences and the That's right, Miss
-" or ''Awfully kind, I'm sure, Mrs.
-" The fine speeches belonged to
the days when the stately minuet pre-
vailed. Modern currness and slangi-
ness go with the cake-walk 1t is
true that there are still girls who do
not talk slang, but any one who knows
very much about girls will not at
tempt to deny that the slang habit is
growing and the art of well-chosen
speech declining.
Of course, the grand manner is not
to be expected in these days of
kilograms and telephones: of short
hand system OF manners as well as of
writing. The old-fashioned courtesy on
the part of a lady, and deep and re-
spectful bow, eliminating in the kiss
ing of the hand on the part of the
gentleman, are never seen now, ex-
cept on the stage But really and
truly there is no dignity in the aver
age salutation. Men jerk off their
hats with something that answers to a
bow when they meet a lady. The
merest nod is considered sufficient
greeting, while full-fiedged bow from
one man to another would be looked
upon in the light of a ridiculous ex-
aggeration. Women give a bob of
their heads or just smile.
Some one says that all the manners
of the day could be registered on a
postal card, with room to spare Our
forefathers may possibly have erred
in exaggeration of punctilio. We of
the present day, however, rush to the
other extreme, with imminent danger
that courtesy and politeness will be
reduced to an almost infnitesimal
point.
Nor should it be forgotten that wo-
men are the natural guardians of good
manners, and when they relax their
own men are sure to follow suit.
Men do not take the trouble to bow as
formerly to women.
Apropos of this ic the anecdote
which has been related of a certain
great lady who inquired in the most
ingenious and innocent way of man
who had unconsciousy offended her
sense of propriety by the character of
his bow whether he had not some
small birds that he was carrying
home in the crown of his headgear.
why, what do you mean?" ex-
claimed the man, disconnected for the
moment, and not compromising the
drift of her remark.
ooh, it was because you seemed to
be SO afraid of lifting your hat too
far from your head that thought you
must really have something of the
kind concealed there which you fear
ed might escape" she replied, with
the utmost sweetness and slavity.
How many men are there nowadays
who will go to the trouble of ungloy-
ing their right hand before accepting
that which lady extends to them
when they meet her on the street?
How often do you find man courtly
enough 10 throw away MS cigar IL a
woman stops on the street to converse
with him? How often do you see on
the street well-dressed men smoking
cigarettes in the company of women?
1t is useless to harp upon the question
OF men surrendering their seats to wo-
men in public conveyances. And yet
when was in this country twenty
five years ago." said an old gentle
man yesterday, 'no one ever dreamt
of discussing such a subject, since it
was unquestioned that no American
gentleman would remain seated in a
public conveyance while any woman,
rich or poor, old or young, white or
black remained standing