The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-12
SOME OF OUR BAD MANNERS.

WISH women and men could be in-
 duced to feel little more personal re-
 sponsibility for public good manners
 | This was brought homo to me keen
 ly the other day when I got into trolley car in my best frock. It WAS black and I was desirous to keep it fresh and spotless until I reached the house where was to lunch with friend As made my way down the aisle I managed to dodge successfully the crossed legs and protruding feet of several passengers, but as l dropped into the only vacant seat my new skirt came into contact with the dirty foot of man opposite. It was a large foot and had evidently been tread ing in mud as we'll as in dust. A fine i'm pression of it came off on my pet skirt and marked 1t with a stamp which had to re- main there until could get hold of a dry brush and after that of a damp cloth
 IT this happened only once in while could endure 1t with some degree of philosophy-perhaps, But 1t is a matter Of daily experience and women are as much sinners as the men.
 Possibly because I am not fond of sit ting with my legs crossed I have less patience with the habit in others, but I do not believe until you have your atten- ton called to it that you can have an idea of how common an occurrence it is Look about you the next time you are in any public conveyance and make a few observa tions.
 mere fs the young man In the corner seat. He is wearing resplendent socks and shiny pumps and probably wishes to call them to general attention. That may be he hoa 1.s- is sitting with his foot sticking out half way across the aisle. so that it is impos- sble to pass him without coming in con- tact with his shoe. unless you are unkind enough to do as do frequently-pause and say politely. T beg pardon, but will you kindly let me pass?"
 Does the same desire for exhibition move the girl few seats farther down? She too has on silk stockings, elaborately clocked, and fanciful shoes. Her attitude reveals her hosiery well up towards the knee. am trying to accustom myself 10 the extremes and vagaries of dress of the present day, but I confess am still sufficiently old fashioned to regret the display she makes.
 Worse still is the show afforded by the stout matron further along, whose feet also trespass upon the aisle, and the old CT men who follow the example of the young buck have no excuse in the way or radiant foot-gear. One and all, they seem to be considering their own com fort with no thought that they may in- commode those who have to pass them in crisp light skirts that cannot escape soil by coming into touch with the dusty or muddy shoes.
 This Is one of the ways in which the public at large shows it's lack of re- sponsibility for general good manners. It is well enough to condemn them in mass, but when we recolect that the crowd is composed of just such individuals as you and I, does it not seem strange that no one Is willing to regulate himself or her self for the sake of the others?
 Perhaps because we travel so much in the trolley cars they offer us more op- portunities for criticism than anywhere else. Begin with where we get on. How often does a man stand aside to let a woman get on first? I hold in grateful memory, few who have done this and whom l always thank for their courtesy, but I don't have to express my thanks often. Generally it is case of first come. first served and every one for him. self or herself and there is a scramble to climb in and secure a seat regardless of the comfort of those whom you push to one side in the operation.
 Is it worth while to speak of those who have not the right change and who hold up all those behind while they count their money and select the coin to go into the box? The conductor generally law isheS his eloquence upon them and is so unpleasant in his orders to hurry ahead and not choke the gangway that you could find it in your heart to feel sorry for the victims. if it were not for your own sufferings.
 Now you are in and looking for a seat When the four last rows of seats are re- served for smokers, why will women per- sist in sitting in them? I have nothing to say about it if there are no other va cant places, but with empty benches a.