The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-03-05
EFT us say good word for the
individual who has specialized the
art of living in graceful amlty

n EFT us say a good word for the
individual who has specialized the
art of living in graceful amity
< with strangers. l here refer to
the man or woman who boards
and who. whether renting suite In a
smart. fourteen-story hotel or a fourth
floor hall bedroom in the rear or a small
private establishment for the accommoda-
ton Of a few paying guests realizes the
Importance of making the agreeability OF
his or her personality clearly felt. This
admirable Individual, I regret, however,
to admit, is nothing more nor less than
rara avis. Where ne or she is found there
the sweet incense Of esteem is burned, ana
praises are spoken III such certain accents
that our wonder grows at the great num-
Der Of those who fail to recognize that here
is field in which to exert powerful
charm.
Consider the Average Boarder.
Truth compels the admission that the
average boarder is to be easily convicted
Of the fault of selfishness. Most Of those
know who live in Louis Quinze suites at
$40 day. orin single small bedchambers
at SO a week. claim as special privilege
their Independence, and in the enjoyment
Of this prerogative they have become very
alarmingly self-indulgent. Now selfish
ness Is twin brother to bad manners be-
cause it renders one so cheerfully indiffer
ent to the privileges and preferences, the
comforts and conveniences of others. and
that Is where the average boarder strays
from the path Of rectitude and becomes the
Victim Of multitIdinous small but con-
epicuously reprehansible habits.
The injury he usually does himself is
60 consider his fellow boarders of little
social Importance, and to fail in the daily
practice In their presence Of all those
courteous customs that are so essential
60 the possession and maintenance Of
popularity and charm.
Many are the unfortunates have known
who found themselves seriously at loss for
easy bearing and guilty of many serious
mistakes in etiquette and who have tried
to excuse themselves to me with the eX-
PLANTATION that they had no homes, but
Awelt In hotels or boarding houses.
Inadequate excuse, indeed for TO my
thinking there is no existence so exact
ing OF your best efforts toward agreeable
and graceful manners as that spent among
strangers, and l have small pity for the
man or woman who has one mode of be-
5 havior for the boarding house and an
other for adoption and exercise only when
abroad and in general society.
A Word Of Good Counsel.
If fate so ordains your life that you are
forced to take rooms IN hotel or board
tng-house. do there As the Romans do,
but be sure to make yourself If possible,
the noblest Roman Of them all. 1t is not
larity founded on an intimacy with fellow
boarders whom you may not like, or may
not esteem as your intellectual or social
equals. There is a soundcr basis on which
to establish your good reputation, and
this Is an unfailing good -natured willing
ness to be polite to everybody. When you
60 a-bOarding, do not assume superior
airs because OF anything you are or you
possess. Cultivate a gracious way that is
perfectly simple and never condescendine
nor patronizing. If you live in a big no.
tel where there are dwelling for the sea
son other residents whom you repeatedly
encounter in the halls. the elevators, ant
The dining-room, bow to them and smile
after a little in a friendly way, provided
they are of your own age and sex. The
acquaintance need go no further than this
but such an acknowledgment of the ex
istence Of others Is graceful and most es
sential.
In a boarding house it is permissible t.
speak to any Of the residents without in
PRODUCTION, and don't make the large an,
almost irremedable mistake Of staring il
naughty surprise as some newcomer who
unaware that formal introductions are tn
custom Of the house, ventures to speak be
fore the performance of the INTRODUCTORY
rite.
The philosophy of the gracious and dis
Greet boarder exacts that outside the Sane