The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-09
TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL
Information Bureau
FREDERIC J. HAsKIN, Director.
Washington, d. @.
THE DECLINE OF MANNERS.

courtesies between human beings to
be entirely discarded?" asks one of
our readers. Grown people now are
informal to the point of rudeness, and
children are taught no manners at
home. Is the next generation to grow
up altogether au naturel?"
This is an oft heard lament. It is
undeniably true that the average
mother no longer sets aside part of
the day to instruct the children in
the gentle art of entering parlor.
The parlor. we are told, is on the
road to extinction. And with it is 60
ing the atmosphere of scrapins and
bowling which once distinguished high
society from all the gatherings of hoi
polloi.
How to enter a room pleasingly
and the kindred formalities are lost
arts, perhaps. We scarcely expect to
find them in the modern home.
They were outgrowths of court life
founded on the caste system and on
the fear of those in power. The
peasantry had little to do with ETH
quette, except that it was supposed
to show Difference to those who called
themselves its betters. The mobiles,
higher in the social scale, had a right
to wall themselves up within certain
barriers of formality. And, at the
top, the king was SO aloof a person.
age that the most elaborate ceremony
possible preceded, accompanied, and
followed everything he did from put
ting on his clothes to receiving a
gift. That kind of formal etiquette
has died out in this country, and it
has few mourners.
But if what is known as common
courtesy is on the wane there is more
cause for worry. The courtesy that
in contact comfortable, and that keeps
us from being unpleasant or offensive
to them is vital factor of civilization
What Constitutes Manners.
Personal cleanliness, good table man
ners, pleasing tone of voice, just con-
sideration for the rights of others, tact
in dealing with people, are a few of
the points of garden variety etiquette
which lubricate the machinery of ev-
eryday existence. These are the
things. we believe, which people are
really thinking of when they talk OF
the decline of manners.
Some of them-cleanliness and table
manners, especially-are undoubtedly
stressed today more than in the past
at the approach of a lady thought
nothing of eating with his knife or
his fingers, and wtping his hands
afterward on the tablecloth. Our table
manners are not always punctili0us
but the tendency seems to be toward
SIGdl6I IG5dId 4OI LIS PAOPA4CAACS "a
eating.
AS for cleanliness, that is becoming
slogan. In this century, society folk
do not find it necessary to wear pow
erful perfumes to conceal the need
for a bath. The working man has no
fear of catching cold by exposing his
body to water. Even immigrants from
countries where clothing is sewed on
in thick layers, and remains intact for
months, are rapidly learning thru their
children in the schools that cleanliness
is desirable.
But if the average citizen has pro-
crossed beyond the stage where ne
gargles his soup and sees no sense in
brushing his teeth, he is not always so
enlightened in other matters of COM
mon courtesy. He would not think of
affronting a friend by visiting him
with soiled collar on, but he Will al
front him by talking in shrill or re-
sounding voice which assaults the ear
drums of those close to him. He
would not say in the middle of a con-
versation, Here, you don't know as
much about this as I do. Let mo
talk" But he gives the selfsame i'm
preston by frequently interrupting in
the middle of a sentence to explain
his own valuable thoughts on a sub
ject.
There is type of modern man who
seems to feel that brusquenes. or even
ruQeneSSs Is an OUTWARD sign OIL d
heart of gold. Other business men
have cultivated an abrupt, snappy
manner with the idea that it is a sign
of efficiency. An office is no place
for teadrinking manners, they will
tell you.
But the pendulum is swinging back.
The business mems magazines that
Fpreach efficiency in all it's obvious and
subtle phases, are constantly printing
articles by successful men showing
how courtesy is a business asset. Some
firms will employ only persons who
show signs of tact and courtesy dur
ing an interview. A few employment
managers go SO far as to set traps for
the applicant to see If he knows what
to do in q social emergency.
Courses in Courtesy.
Employees in large stores and te1e-
phone exchanges are given courses in
the courtesy due to people with whom
there might logically be courtesy
courses for the people who use the
telephone and go shopping.
The need for such courses given to
grown people in employment indicates
a gap in education. Mothers once
taught their children all the phases
of etiquette 1t now seems they teach
almost nothing along this line. A few
rules of behavior are perhaps insist
ed upon, but that the average child
remains unaware of any real reason
for passing behind people instead Of
rushing in front Of them no one can
doubt.
There are various reasons why
ideals of courtesy are no longer part
of home training. The sentiment to
give the child chance to develop his
| individuality for himself Is very
strong. Then, the mothers are busy
with many new fnterests-careers, Of
flee work, clubs. athletics. With the
| lack of time or inclination to teach
children at home, there has come a
feeling that the public school should
be responsible for all phases of edu-
cation.
| The schools have already taken up
| the question of health in crusades with
records kept of teeth brushed, baths
| hours of sleep, and hours of exercise.
/ The schools. too. are teaching the rules
| of safety first" to show children how
| to guard against accidents. Now it
looks as II the public schools would