South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-05-24
The Ideal Host
By Constance Williams

The English hosts's intentions are
excellent, btu his fulfillment or them
some times falls short or perfection.
Being a casual creature the Eng
lishman forgets TO reserve table, Dut
when this difficulty is surmOunted the
dinner is excellent. After the question
of drink is settled the supreme buSl-
ness of eating begins. Conversation
would be a useless extra while any
thing so important Is going forward.
The Englishman likes TO dine In COM
pany with a we'll dressed woman. TO
sit quite alone might be dull. But
one can imagine him saying mentally.
Il am giving you a good dinner.
For goodness sake don't chatter, and
do not, above all, expect me TO eXer-
else my mind in the matter of your
entertainment" When the time for
departure arrives, the Well-uppeC
waiter helps the guest on with her
cloak, while the oblivious host is
lighting his cigar. He turns back
into the light and warmth almost be-
for the taxi has started.
The Frenchnan would be an ideal
host if he did not often forget ma
terial things in the delights of scintil-
lating conversation, jen d'esprit and
general intellectual fireworks.
With a sweep Of his arm ne upsets
a plate OF soup the waiter is bringing,
ard what does that matter? He en-
tertains. he exerts himself TO be anu
sing. How he talks
He expects his guest TO talk Though
not too much: a Frenchman thorough
~ appreciates a good listener); he is
charming
The entree gets cold while a killing
story" is told, and the waiter is sulky
at the smalIness Of the tip; but in
hrux -oao q
man as host has his good points.
When the time for departure ar
rives he does not in the least mind
hailing a passing bus (tO take taxi
would in his estimation, be ridiculous
extrayagance), and stands oa the pave
ment, hat in hand, till the numbering
vehicle is out of sight.
on the whole l think the palm as
host must be given TO The American.
Perhaps he is sometimes rather osten-
tacious, apt TO speak loudly, anxious
TO let everyone know that money is
no object TO him, but his other quail
ties balance these drawbacks.
Does he invite you TO dine at a fine
hotel the question arises: How viii
YOU get there2 l have never had 10
wait for an American host; but il
would be no unusual thing for him
10 call for his guest, particularly II
SliG " ere a ld4g cunning cAOAAts
A table in just the right corner has
been reserved. If you have ever ex-
pressed a preference for any particu-
lar flower you may find a bunch OF
them beside your plate The dinner,
OF course, is excellent, the waiting al
that could be desired, the champagne
properly iced. and not ordered sweet
as a matter of course because you are
a woman.
All this is not by any means cues
ton Of money. I have dined with an
American in a cheap little restaurant
and found just the same thought and
care expended upon the dinner and
guest who was 10 eat It,
The American mantle best type
has quiet, solid determination &c
have what he wants. and as he wants
il. he never fuses; the F'renchmar
leaves him far behind as a converse
uonalist. but he eXerts himself 10 en-
terrain MS guest, and surrounds hei
with the little kindnesses and atten'
tions-mere surface affairs 10 be sure
which are the true essence or which
good hosts are made.