The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-10-22
The FUNCTION.
Etiquette Observed at Theaters
and Parties.
By Those Who Know the Proper
Thing to Do.
EVENING ESSENTIALS.
BY the Swell Set and Society
Generally.
Casual IntrOductiOns and Future
Friendships.
EVENING ESSENTIALS.


plays very small part IN lnese
functions. Good form consists chief1y
in certain delicate courJesses TO ones
host and hostess and to any who may
be their guests.
Engraved invitations. the signal Of
Formally, are never issued for these
occasions. An invitation for the the
alter, a card party or Il general good
time after the dinner hour s either
verbal or in the form of a kindly note.
The acceptance or refusal of such hos
pitality however. should be quite as
prompt and gracious, even though 1t IS
less ceremOniOus.
In considering an invitation for the
theater girl must know what play
she is to see and something OF It's
character. An undesira Bile production
can spoil an entire evenings pleasure.
Then too, she should never accept q
theater invitation from a man whom
she does not know intimately, unless
he alsO invites one of her friends as
chaperone. If she is to be one of
large party this rule, OF course, does
not hold good. In the latter case
note informing her at what hour the
performance begins and whether or
not an escort is to call for her, requires
a short and informal reply.
If man is invited by a girls
mother to Join them at the theater, it
is perfectly proper for him to accept
without making any offer to obtain
tickets or planning to entertain them
at supper afterWard. He is as much
their guest as though the invitation
was for dinner or dance, and if
carriage is not provided by the hostess
a mans only duty is to pay the car fare
to and from the playhouse. If he Is
asked to join a theater party he ac-
cepts by polite note and arrives at
his hostess home just a few minutes
before the time to leave for the tho
alter.
DRESSING for the. Tneayer.
In dressing for the theater a girls
costume should be a light coIored
frOck with or without a slightly low
neck and elbow sleeves A box or
parquet seat at the opera alone per-
mits Of the decOllete gown, while
dark skirt and separate light blouse
are no longer considered in best form
for concert or theater except in the
uppermOst gallery. Gloves for theater
wear should be spotIessly clean, and a
neatly cOiffed head protected by a
fluffy scarf does away with the need of
running dress-up hats by crushing
them beneath theater seats.
Correct attire for a man includes
the long-tailed evening coat with white
tie and black vest. The custom of
wearing full dress at the theater is be-
coming more and more general. Dark
gloves which are Worn to and from
the playhouse should be removed on
entering the lobby of the theater, and
white gloves are occasionally substi-
tuted. though this is not obligatory.
In spite of the fashion of wearing the
tall silk hat both at afternoon and
evening functions the crush hat is by
all odds the most convenient and is
perfectly proper after SundOWn-
At the theater door q man steps
ahead to present the tickets and then
stands aside 20 allow the lady or ladies
to pass in. Before presenting the stubs
to the seating page the wraps are re-
moved, and if agreeable to all concern
ed they are checked in the coat room.
Ladies Should Follow Page
TO their seats their escorts bringing
up the rear. Once seated a man should
never leave a lady's side unless some
person comes to visit with her during
an intermissiOn. If the outer wraps are
Eaken to the seats. no attempt should
be made to nut them on until the cur
tain has dropped for the last time
There is nothing more annoying to per-
sons sitting near than a cOmmOtion
caused by DOMINIC hats and coats be-
fore performance is finished.
The invitation to the theater does not
necessitate a supper afterward though
q small repast is usually served after a
performance either at a pleasant res
taurant or, in the case of a theater
party. at the host or hostess home.
This should be timed to prevent reach
ing ones home long after II o'clock.
Dances alone permit Of post-midnfght
festivities for girls, whether deputantes
or not
Next to the theater. bridge and euobre
parties are the most popular forms of
evening entertainment When the f1ne-
zion is a large one. the visiting card
o. the hostess on which is inscribed in
one corner, Bridge" or 'Euchre" de-
mands a short note as soon as it is re-
ceived in which the decipient accents
cordially or gives some plausible excuse
for refusing Evening dress is essen
tlal Tor both a girl and a man at such
card party though for a small gath
ering OF friends. a well-pressed bust
ness suit is permissible for a man
is not excusable for a person to
make one
At a Card Party
unless he or she understands somefhins
Of the game to be played. This does
not necessarily mean that an invitation
must be refused because Of Ignorance
Of the rules, but some effort should be
made TO read uD on the most import
ant plays before starting a game. 9th
erWise you are apt TO spoil the pleasure
Oh an entire evening for skilled players
The rules once fairly mastered. there
IS certain general etiquette connects ed
with the game. which is necessary ia
avoid any clashing with partner or on
pOnents.
In the first place. silence must he
maintained while the game is il, r,roo-
ress. Women especially are apt to be
careless in this regard. usually because
they do not attempt to keep the rur
OF the various plays in their mind. II
IS practically an impossibiity to con
verse ana sun have knowledge of the
cards which have passed ont in tricks
Secondly, make no attempt to correr,
the faults Your partner may display r.
his or her method of play. This is ev
tremely embarrassing not only to tn,
one who may have made the mistake
but 20 the ether players at the .f551e
Also there IS no easier manner OF he
ginning dispute. which is mark n
objectionable discourtesy to your host
ess Then, too. you may be at faul
in your criticism. thereby placing your
self in an unfortunate light with an,
strange guest. Ihera is aI.savs