Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-04-15
Girls and Their Affairs.
Conducted by Helen H. Fetter
<HE American high school girl


ties of real responsibility in
school organizations and ac-
Invites outside of actual lessons was
the subject of discussion recently at
an informal meeting of club women
and school authorities of Washington.
It was generally conceded that local
nigh school girls. acting in such ca
pactties as members of school coun-
ellis, honor letter clubs and on the
staff of school banks and publica-
lions. have more than proved their
aptitude for accomplishing such work
successfully.
In spite Of this generally acknowl-
edged fact and the additional proof
or the modern girls independence and
sensible method of managing her own
anairs, there are girls who are in
clined to feel that they are too much
criticized when they are forbidden to
use cosmetics or when other con-
structive hints are offered them by
those who are older and can view
their actiops from an experienced,
fmperSonal angle.
If any Washington girl thinks this
way, She should stop for a moment
and consider the girl of Central and
South America, where a chaperon is
considered as essential to ones daily
walk as the proper apparel for such
exercise
Miss Jean Campbell, director of
city. has just returned to Washington
after a delightful trip to Panama,
where she visited friends and rela-
lives. Miss Campbell says that the
BANANA girl is very much chaper-
oned. She never goes to dances with
out one, and her intercourse with
young men is limited and highly
formal in nature.
I'm Panama everything is very
much Americanized," said Miss Camp
bell. american energy and business
Instincts are evident, even to the
cutting down recently of the period OF
the siesta in the middle of the day.
Because of the heat, the PanamanS
used to have two hours in the after
noon. when the shops were all closed,
but now they have only one. They
shop and attend to their business very
early in the morning and by IL
o'clock every one is off the streets
for a rest. Then social intercourse
is resumed by o'clock and the even
ing parties frequently last until D
o'clock the next morning.
'One of the funniest things to me.
as an American girl visiting there"
said Miss Campbell. was the man
ner in which the boys serenade their
sweethearts to let them know they
love them. A young man supplies
himself with young orchestra OF
clever musicians and then stands out
side the girls window and contents
himself with gazing soulfully toward
it while the others furnish the music.
When the serenade is over the girl $
family invites the young man and
his entertainers in and gives them a
delightful meal. I had often heard
OF the wonderfully romantic sere-
nades of the Spanish people, but had
never before heard of the substantial
feast, which is thoughtfully provided
after the music is over
1t seems that, although the girls or
Panama wear modern dress, nearly
all the women. including the wives of
visiting naval officers. use the beau
tiful lace mantillas IS head coverings.
They also do the modern ballroom
dances to snappy American jazz. in
luxurious clubhouses.
Comparatively few OF the girls. or
Panama seem to engage in profess
sional occupations or trades. and all
the daughters of the wealthy or arts
tocratic families are brought up In
careful secluSion.
All in all considered. the United
States seems quite the most ideal OF
Ali countries for fostering the most
complete happiness for the girl of
today.