Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-12-19
by LAURA KINGSTON.

ny In " MI IN1NSo Wv
There are certain points connected
with introductions which are not al
ways clearly grasped by those intro
duced. TO Judge from the questions
which now and again reach us on
the subject. The situation is so
momsntary there is little or no time
for reflection. any more than when
crossing a street between a street car
and an automobile, when the decision
lies between going forward or step
ping backward. AT the crucial mo-
ment OF being introduced comes the
opportunity OF doing one OF two
things and of being satisfied or dissat-
sficd with the decision made.
Rules, however wise they may be.
cannot be made to fit every circun-
stance OF social life. and, broad as
they are, they yet are open to many
exceptions, and il you cannot exactly
drive coach and horses through
them. as in the case OF some OF our
I laws and regulations. you may get
around them by taking advantage of
the aforesaid exceptions. How to act
on the occasion OF an introduction is
determined almost entirely upon the
reason for its being made, and by
whom and to whom the person is thus
introduced
Even the locals has something to
do with ii, and thus variety of is
sues are raised. upon which all in
Simultaneous Judgment has to be given
The mind has TO travel with lightning
rapidity over the ground to arrive at
correct course OF action; but the
mind does not always respond to the
call made upon it; it hesitates, and
acts not upon the outcome Of the i'll
production. but upon the spur OF the
moment.
The received rule is not to shake
hands, but merely to bow, on being
introduced, but this under certain
circumstances would not meet the
case; it would disappoint the one in
Producing and the one introduced For
instance, il a relative OF the former
is the person introduced, bow would
, be a very chilling response to the in
PRODUCTION made; to shake hands, on
, the contrary. would be the correct
thing to do. and both persons should
offer at the same moment this cordial
recognition.
On the other hand. if casual intro
duction is made without any premedi.
tation, and those introduced are to-
tally unknown to each other, all ex-
change of bows is all that is required.
Among the exceptions OF not bow
ing only on being introduced comes
in the introductions made between
young ladies and elderly ones, and
I between young ladies themselves. An
elderly lady, as general rule, shakes
hands with the girl introduced to her
with the idea of being cordial and
kind, not to say condescending, and
girls generally shake hands with, each
other in place of bowling as acquaint-
anceships formed by them have not
the momentum that attaches to those
of older ladies'; besides, a greater
readiness to make friends is the priv
ilege and characteristic of youth.
Men take very much the same view
as regards introductions as do women
/ that 10 " say IL GIL Hill oduNtioh
is made by relative of the man in
PRODUCED, the men would shake hands,
and not merely bow. This holds
equally good where intimate friends
are concerned; they almost rank on
the footing of relations, and cordial
reception is given to an introduction
thus made. When casual introduc-
tons are made OF necessity rather
than of intention men do not shake
hands. When 81 think you have met
Smith" or Il think you know Mr.
Sith,' is said-the one by host and
the other by a hostess-nothing fur
Their is required from either than a
bow and smile of acquiescence, &C
cepting the introduction, and a dis
claimer is not expected if Mr.. Smith
is not actually known. The uncer-
tainty is an excuse for making the
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