The Washington herald., 1908-01-19
RUDENESS IN SOCIETY
Manners of Washington Are
Bad, Says Writer.
SOCIAL BREAKS FREQUENT
RetOFts DiscOuFteOus to
Both Arrogance and Ignorance.
Careless Memory Also Responsible.
Relates Incidents Where the SEN
sitiVe Were Much Offended.

Stories are constantly being told of
Tudeness shown to strangers in the Ma
tional Capital and of Sights put upon
Washington hostesses by their would-be
guests. or vice versa. says a writer in
the New York Tribune
One of the most fashionable complaints
this winter has been the failure OF debu-
which they have been invited. The only
excuse offered has been, 1T was not our
fault We just forgot
At a small private cotillion given about
two years ago a handsome Washington
girl who had been extensively entertained
and whose head was 80 turned by the at
tentlon paid her that She considered she
was a law unto herself socially met with
a deserved reproof
On receiving her invitation 10 tie CO.
tillion she told several OF her friends that
she really did not know whether TO at
tend the dance or not; it very much de-
pended on who else was going and wheth-
er it would pay her for the exertion. II
happened that her hostess was one who
/
TO treat her disc0uTte0usly. The night OF
the dance the young girl approached her
and greeted her with the most conde-
scending air.
"Oh! how do you dog" replied her
hostess, quietly. This is quite a surprise.
really did not expect 10 see you To-
night, as you have never answered my
note Of invitations, which 1 am aware
you received ! fear you viii have no
partner, as. after waiting ten days,
flied your place
Cruel, Even If True.
\ retort discOurteous which caused
much adverse comment was made at a
luncheon recently.
There is a popular young girl from the
South who goes out a good deal in Wash
iugton, but fl is pretty generally known
that she selects for her intimate friends
those who are We'll of in this world s
goods. one Of them whom she particu-
larry cultivated was the source Of many
of her good times last winter and took
her automobHing day and night In a big
touring car.
This friend IS spending the winter away
from Washington, but came 70 the city
on a visit recently. A luncheon was given
for her, and the Southern girl was one
OF the guests. During the luncheon the
latter called across the table 10 her last
winters friend.
Il am SO disappointed that YOU have
decided to live in the North What shall
do without you this winter2'
"Oh, I guess you'll walk" was the curt
reply.
a popular Washington clubman had an
unpleasant experience lately when he
called at the home of a family whom he
had known intimately when they We're in
Italy. lie had been urged 10 call on them
when they opened their home once again
IN Washington. It was their reception
day. and there were q number Of people
present whom he already knew when he
entered the large drawing-roOm. He was
formally announced by the footman, and
he advanced burriedly to greet his hostess
he had not seen since dining with her
and her husband IN Paris six months be-
fore.
She shook hands with him indifferently.
and answered his remarks rather discOur-
teousIy. A trifIe nettled. ne bowed TO her
ana turned away Az ne Ulu ~ Elt lAIAtU
10 man standing near her and asked
in a perfectly audible tone:
"Who is that person.
The clubman stayed but a moment
longer. and then left the room In the
front hall ne asked the footman for his
cards. and when they were handed TO
him he promptly tore them UP and left
the house.
Some years ago q multi-miilionaire from
the Middle West decided 10 make his win
ter home IN Washington, and he built a
handsome house there. He and his wife
entertained frequently. and. although
making many a social break they at last
penetrated the inner circles Of society.
After they had been in Washington
several years they rented a large cottage
at one Of the famous Northern summer
resorts. There they gave a ball 90 which
hundreds we're invited. As is usual sup
per was served at midnight. and it was
an elaborate feast. Three young society
men who were present were not satisfied
with the wines which were served, and
coolly ordered the butler TO bring them
their favOrite beverages. Their host over
heard them. and turning promptly. ad-
dressed them:
you have made a mistake. gents" he
said. This IS private residence, not a
bar"
Vulgar. but Deserved.
It was q vulgar rebuke, but deserved.
and the men accepted il quietly. But the