The new era., 1909-07-01
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THE day OF an entire family Is pltcn
made or marrcd by breakfast table
manners If the atmosphere is disa-
greeable, If even one person starts the
day swapping, every one at the table
Is apt to be disgruntled before the
neal is through.
1t should not be any harder to smile
In the morning than at midnight, in
deed the woman who has lived
through is hours of strenuous modern
life would seemingly have more ex-
cuse for irritation at the end of it
rather than at the start. Yet. strange
ly enough. more people feel cross at
breakfast than at any other time.
There are women to whom getting
out OF bed is more of temper test
than direct insult. They consider
the rising gong a personal enemy
and seem physically incapable of a
smile or pleasant word until they
have been up several hours.
Most families have experienced
this trying trait In at least one men,
Der. What mother has not thumped
and hammered at sons or daugh.
ter's door until exhausted In patience
and strength. just to get him up for
daily duty? Instead of gratitude, the
mother generally meets with sour
looks If not rudeness for her pains.
If one is such an incorrigible
sleepy head that the morning man.
ners suffer 1t is well for her to hunt
the cause. In growing girl or boy
this crossness may be due to not get
ting enough sleep for ones strength.
II so. parents should insist that the
rest be taken at the other end of the
day. Early retiring is much better
for a young person than late rising.
There is no worse discipline than to
let children get up when it suits them.
Laziness and indifference are most
often the cause of bad morning man
ners. Anything goes in the family.
1t is too much trouble to talk agreea-
bly, at breakfast, so John buries HIM
self In his paper and does not speak
unless to score the coffee or rank
toast. and Mary, with struggling locks
and in sloppy wrapper. either sulks
or nags.
To start the day wrong. with tenn
per ruffied or feelings hurt. leaves a
sting that cuts. II one cannot keep
sweet the day through it were better
to choose a less auspicious time for
temper than the breakfast table,
when all should be bright and cheer
full, If only to counteract the ten
dency to morning crossness which
most of us feel. ft
The wife who wishes to be remem-
bered pleasantly is as careful of her
morning toilet and her morning man
dinner. If she can't be she had bet
ter have coffee in her room. The
man who does not wish to have his
wife sigh with relief when the door
has closed on him for downtown, will
take pains to be agreeable at the
breakfast table.
Never let children get into the habit
of whining at breakfast or of scolding
because they will be late to school.
Belated meals are responsible for
much morning misery; it is hard to
be made on a jump or black mark Is
feared.
Set the breakfast hour early enough
that mad scrambles and consequent
Ill humor can be avoided. See to 1t
that every one is down on time.
One mother broke up breakfast
table crossness by having a fine for
every one who came to the table
scowling or who sulked or whined or
scolded during the meal.
II you think that it makes little
difference how you act or look at
breakfast. try coming downstairs
singing and happy some rainy day.
when the cook is late and the family
dispositions are apt to be warped.
Though free row is going on when
your cheerful face is first seen. things
will quickly calm down under your
smiling presence.