The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1905-01-28
TO INTRODUCE OR
NOT TO INTRODUCE
A Question Which Puzzles
Many Persons Almost
Every Day


To introduce or not to introduce.
There is a discussion of this subject in
q recent magazine, referring especially
to the introducing in street, car or
in shops. 1t is often difficult to know
just what to do in this matter, for as
said in this particular article one girl
found fault with friend because she
was always introducing every one, and
with another because she never did so.
One girl thought the other impolite
because they came down town in a car
together and her friend talked to a girl
they met and did not introduce her.
Then, on the other hand, another was
complained of because she always in
troduced persons who merely met cas-
ually.
This is a difficult subject upon which
TO lay down any arbitrary rules, but it
is perhaps safer to err on the side of
not introducing than that of indis-
criminate introductions right and left.
Much, however, must be left to cir
cumstances and to individual tact
When two persons are joined in the
street or store by third, an introduce
ton is sometimes unavoidable; but if
woman merely stops to speak to
friend when she is with some one else,
1t is not really necessary to introduce
them. Some women make it rule
never to introduce those who meet in
street or car, and woman once in a
While goes so far as not to introduce
two strangers in her own drawing
room. Others never Introduce a friend
without asking the other whether it is
agreeable. This may be a good rule,
put it is not always possible to follow
IT. The article on Introducing already
referred to says that hostess should
always introduce two women who are
unacquainted and happen to be calling
at the same time. 1t also refers. to
what is called Anglomania, which took
possession of society some years ago
and would have done away with intro
duc1ng altogether on the theory that
everyone who was anybody knew
everyone worth knOwingi This is
mainly nonsense, and there seems to be
much more common sense in introduce
ing than not.
The tactful woman in making one
friend known to another can almost al
ways think of something to say which
will put the two on common ground,
or give them topic with which to be-
gin conversation. But when two
persons are introduced by the mere
mention of their names and they know
nothing else of each other, there is not
much to be said save the usual plati-
tudes. A fund of small talk is not only
a gift, but positive boon, and those
who are able to converse solely upon
ponderous subjects are never likely to
getEep socially. Tact is, after all, the
saving grace. and part of this great
gift, or rather an element in it, is small
talk. To be able to converse lightly
and continually about nothing until
strangers are completely at their ease,
has concealed many an awkward mo-
ment.
Introductions in cars shops or on
street corners are hardly necessary, but
a wise woman will know when they
are and those introduced will act ac-
cordingly. 1t has been said somewhere
that when man is introduced to
woman outside of friends house, it is
not necessary for the acquaintance to
be acknowledged afterwards. But this
must be left to the individual and to
circumstances. 1t is customary and
proper to ask the permission of wom-
an before introducing men to her, but
this wise rule is too often disregarded.