Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-24
SHOPPING ETIQUETTE.
Some Polite Amenities of Everyday
Life
Written for The Star.

Written for The Star.
Etiquette among women seems to be en-
tirely forgotten when they enter the shop
ping district. How many women. engage
in the life-and-death struggle Of gaining
So shirt waist for 81 .9S remember their lady-
hood when their best friend holds a waist
which they covet? Were Il not better q
thousand times that third woman shou'f
bear off the uncertain prize .than that
friends should come to grief in a primitive
fight for possession?
However. primitive as II may he to strl4s-
gle over bargain counters. It is also a waste
OF energy, and the woman who has evolutri
furthest obtains what she wants I'm a suhtler
fashion. She sees that there is just orc
waist which she wants in that sale and
that 1t Is In the hand of her neighbor Does
she snatch II from her? No: she selects an
inferior one next to II, studies IL absorbing
ly. inquiries the price and seems about %
purchase such Is the psychology OF woman
that the neighbor drops the one waist 10
observe the other. and she nor any one ella.
is the wiser when the former is borne away
In triumph.
susue. wen, even so, 1t is better ;han
pitcned battles, and the modern woman who
'h Sha hnds that courtesy pays.
shopping Is woman's fetch hut LET l,ar
elevate the worship with consideration and
remember that saleswornen are not autorna-
TONS wound up In the morning and war
,anteu 70 run al day. They are the shop
per pest friends or dearest foes Tho Lag
she takes OF their time and enduranc, the
presenter VIII be her shopping excursion.
Here are few hints which will helm
much-tried sisters:
men you are just looking do not dis
turo the clerks. You can get all the in
loi NATION you require by keeping your eyes
open as you walk through the shops
Never start to buy an article until ,-n,
nave money In your purse or in the bank
IL IS Keen disappointment to a clerk o
work up a sale, and then have II suoiIsd
by the customer suddenly renemberinr
that she cannot buy today
Then, again. do not be sharp or dis
agreeable II the clerk Is Indifferent She
mas become accustomed to shoppers who
are gieaning ideas by which to make Their
summer wardrobeS at home. She jor,bt-
less places you in this class so that n
Will pay you to tell her at the start that
you are ready to buy in case you find inst
what you want.
On the other hand. do not be Inveigle4
into taking something You do NOT wan, -
the article does not please Won the Fam.
viii be yours, but you viii inyarIaaI,
blame the saleswoman. The good shonnar
should know what she wants before leaving
nome and her only object In looking should
be TO find the best article of its kind at n
price which suits her pocketbook Fail
ing to be satisfied at one counter It is vel
10 explain simply that you wish to look fur
Their Avoid excuses and do not hold ont
promises 10 return. This only aggravatas
the clerk-and you seldom keep your prom
Use.
II you are iu-used, appeal to the floor
walker. Do not harangue a saleswomau
The foorwalker also should be questioned
about any object seen in the show window.
10 not ask the clerk where the various
counters are. This, too, is one of the floor
walkers duties. and he IS on the ground
for just such matters
DO not expect a clerk to walt upon Won
ahead Of six previous arrivals. no matter
now urgent your excuse. She is accus-
toned to such things. and must take her
customers in turn.
IN the restaurants do not order from two
different mattresses. Should they both
bring your order. the last one will be
Obliged to pay for the portion which is re-
turned.