The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-02-03
T HE SOCIAL CODE.

make it uncomfortable for those in the
other part Of the house, and those who
are accustomed 10 do so never are heard
from. II Is only the occasional box
party" as II is amusingly called. that
conducts itself in this way.
5. Question: When che meets the President Of
the United States che public highway. should one
salute, as one does members q the royal families
in EuTOpei
Answer: Yes. II is expected that people
seeing and recognizing the President on
the street should bow, and It Is a trouble
well worth while, for no one Is more gem
ial and responsive In returning a salute
than Mr.. Roosevelt.
g. Question; I was much interested in tl.s cues
ton that you published LAST week regarding whether
II Is proper % appear ct a formal dinner IN frock
coat, and would be TeTy grateful Il you would give
ne some ideas a. 10 what IS considered good form
in dress here in Washington. IN the snail town In
which hsil from it would b IN perfect taste 10
wear frock cost, or even a GETAWAY. 20 a dinner
-Cguutryman.
Answer: You cannot apply provincial
standards TO life In a big city. especially
al capital. II would never be regarded
as good form 70 wear anything but even
a
coat Is the accepted garb for the morn
ing. frock coat with high hat should be
worn in the afternoon. o;enlng clothes at
night. This is not oily the prescribed
rule for Washington. bat for every place
under the sun save the Orient, where
pajamas are often worn. when the
weather is very warm all day.
2 Question: Wnl gou tel me Just how an engage
meut Is announced.
Answer; In many different ways. The
most popular manner in this country is 10
send a notice 20 the social column OF a
reputable newspaper saving that Mrs.
Smith announces the betrothal Of her
daughter Bertha TO Mr.. Jones. But. be-
sides this fOrma' notice. personal letters
should be written 20 the near relatives OF
those concerned. n Europe. some parts
Of it at least. this formal notice is often
made by card, bit tie custom has never
Obtained here.
Que on: viii you be so god as TO tell me on
what DAYS the wives Of the different uficsls Of the
government residing in Washington receiyei
RET
Answer: Monday the court circle. Tues
day the wives Of members Of Congress,
Wednesday the Cabinet women. Thurs
day .. sacred 20 the wives OF Senators.
Friday IS allotted the residents. but this
rule is not hard and fast, as It is becom-
ing more and more the custom TO observe
the day of the locality IN which one ives
o. Capitol Hin, for instance. ever one
receives on Monday, no matter !. hat her
rank in the social world, and this is a
custom that cannot be too highly recon-
mended, FOR it simplifies matters for those
who all and fnnCo urIn rropFr-a
g am assistant raymaster In the navy APP
pointed less than year ago. and on waiting orders
here IN Washington. Shall 7 caf On the chief Of
my department. Admiral Rodgers!
Answer: You should leave cards on Ad-
mirdl Rodgers and all Of the officers with
whom you are associated superior to you
In rank
loss 20 know how 70 dress for the different affairs
20 which ] am invited. VIII you tell ne what is
proper 20 wear for luncheon visiting and % iufOr-
mai dinners: Is IL expected that one shall apposr
IN dress suit 81 the latter? r. C. r.
Answer; See answer to Countryman's
question above
Il. Question: Your sociat code is stunning
read It with much interest every SUNDAY. VIII
yGu kindly tell me II IL is clstomarr all over the
United States for a young Girl 20 make Cz5rtsey 20
women older than she when shaking hands, 7 have
lived 2 great deal in Europe. where il is always
customary. and I sometimes feel embarrassed when
fnd am the only young person in the room doing
So. SARA FRANCIS.
Answer: Thank you, II Is unhappiIy
not the general custom In the United
States for young girls 20 curtsey to their
elders. This manner OF greeting. how
ever. is insisted upon at the smartest
schools now and VIII doubtless gain
ground.
p Question: Did sou rua over the list Of persons
&C the Benelictine bail and notice names among
them supposed TO be Of the ultra set Of our cityl
An old Wsshngtonian scans the list with surprise.
Possibly some Of the parties may have had father
bat grandfather, no. never!
Answer: Yes. I saw the list for the
Benedictine ball and noted that many OF
the names that appeared in It were I'M
known in Washington society a quarter
of a century ago, but "the world do
move" as Uncle Jasper said. and the no.
bodies Of to-day become the somebodies
Of tomorrow.
q. Question: Is IT necessary for widow to have
chaperou1
Answer: This depends. Of course, upon
the age Of the widow. It is obvious that
a widow should not require a chaperon,
but If she is young and pretty and goes
about much alone, she is sure to provoke
criticism.