Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1905-03-18
WHO SHOULD BE INTRODUCED.
Some of the Laws Laid Down by Com.
mon Usage.

To introduce or not to introduce.
There IS a discussion of this subject in
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 al
ways introducing every one, and with
another because she never did so. One
girl thought the other impolite because
they came downtown in a ear together
and her friend talked to u girl they met
and did not introduce her Then, on the
other hand, another was complained of
because she always introduced persons
who merely met casually.
This is Il 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 indiscrimi-
nate introductions right and left Much.
however, must be left to circumstances
and to individual tact. When two per-
sons are joined i'll the street on store by
thlrd, an Introduction is sometimes UNI
avoidable; but if woman merely stops
to speak TO friend when she is with
some one else, it is not really necessary
10 introduce them. Some women make
It a rule never to introduce those vino
meet III street or car, and Il woman once
III while goes so far as not to intro
dnce two strangers in her own drawing
room. Others never introduce Il friend
without asking the other whether it is
agreeable. This may be good rule.
but ii is not always possible 10 follow
it, The article on Introducing already
referred to says that Il hostess should
always introduce two women who are
unacqualnted and happen to be calling
mt the same time 1t also refers to what
is called Anglomania, which took pos
session of society some years ago and
would nave done away with Introducing
altogether on the theory that everyone
who was anybody knew everyone worth
knowing! This IS mainly nonsense, and
there seems to be much more common
sense i'll Introducing than not
The tactful woman in making one
friend known to another can almost al
ways think of something to say which
VIII put the two on common ground, or
give them topic with which to begin "A
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 platitudes. A fund
Of small talk is not only a gift, but a
positive boon, and those who are able to
converse solely upon ponderous subjects
are never likely to get on socially. Tact
IS, after all, the saving grace and part
of this great gift, or rather an element
III it, is small talk. To be able to con-
verse lightly and continually about moth
ing until strangers are completely at
their ease, has concealed many an awk-
ward moment.
IntroductiOns in cars, shops or on
street corners are hardly necessary, but
wise woman will know when they are
and those introduced will act accord
ingly. 1t has been said somewhere that
when man is introduced to a 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 circum-
stances. 1t is customary and proper to
ask the permission of woman before
introducing men to her, but this wise
Globe