The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-02-10

ETIQlIETTE
Rules That Should Be Put in Practice
in Everyday Life.

To step onto a street car gracefully,
always wait until the car has come to
full stop and be sure to take firm
grip with the right hand of the assist
ing rod which helps you on.
If the car is well filled. it is a poor
policy to stand near the door simply
because you are to get off soon. You
will avoid the conductors Move up,
please" and a great deal of crushing
and jamming If you step toward the
center or middle of the car Immediately
you enter, and by doing this you will
be more liable than not to have seat
offered to you.
II you are obliged to hang on strap,
do not look illtreated, because this
Will more than prejudice you with a
young man who might offer you seat,
and some exceptionally polite old man
who really needs the seat more than
you DO will feel IL his bounden duty 10
rise aud let you take his place.
No matter what distance you may be
going. If some one takes the trouble TO
offer you his seat. accept ii with q
Thank you very much 1t is most
embarra ssing to a courteous man after
he has risen and profrered his place IN
the car. to have woman refuse 1t with
such remark as = don't wish TO take
your seat" Though il is perfectly prop
poIiteness TO say. Thank you very
much. but l really do not mind stand
/ ing"
than to have several people shove TO-
gether in sardne fashion 10 give you
Just half a seat. 1t will not only make
! them uncomfortable, but you Will feel
| that you are perched on the edge OF
! nowhere.
In case the car has some persons
| standing and you find on entering that
there is one vacant seat, always nOtlce
| who occupies the places on either side
| Of the seat before you venture TO take
/ f. Not infrequentiy II happens that
some Objectionable passenger has caused
others TO desert this particular place
and il you sit down unthink1ngiy you
! Will immediately become an object OF
curiosity for the entire car.
When paying the conductor try never
I to give pennies. There are many ether
/ WAYS in which they can be used up and
| they are q serious nuisance TO him when
/ he has so Inuch change to carry in his
coat pocket. On the other hand. count
any change e may give you carefully
before you drop it into your purse
once il is out OF sight he has perfect
right to refuse TO rectify any mistakes
| II Is a great mistake 10 discuss per-
souai matters with friends In the cars,
and equally bad form 10 gossip about
vo11r acduaintances. There are innumer-
able instances OF interested persons
having overheard conversations in this
way and sometimes with serious re-
| suits
A woman should not smile az the
| antics OF some one In the car no mates
/ how funny or unusual they may be II
affords an opportunity Tor other gas
sengers 10 begin conversation with her
and street car acquaintances are seldom
desirable.
| Do not expect the conductor 10 re-
| member at what street you are TO gel
off. Nine times out of ten your request
lis UNDECIDED and IL you are not on the
alert you viii be carried far past tbs
street Besides, this is not his duty
and he would have a busy time indeed
lii he remembered every passengers de-
sired exit.