Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-10


A lady may no,0 be seen in a barber
shOp-perhGPs eUen Out-talking the
barber.
A RUNNING knowledge of French Is no
longer absolutely necessary in order to eat
in fashionable dining places in America. Pork
and beans may be ordered as such without
throwing the entire serving staf In an uproar.
Even in the home the courses are simpler
and fewer with the natural reduction in silver
ware. Two forks two knives, two spoons, q
tablespoon and a salad fork will carry one
through the routine of almost any fashionable
meal today.
The banjo grip" on the fork IS, IS ever
frowned upon and the napkin stiIl protects the
lap and not the cravat, but the memory Is not
taxed in dining any more. Even the novice may
do the natural thing and feel quite comfortable.
Americans eat less than In ancient days, head
walters and caterers observe, and, naturally.
there are fewer courses in the well ordered
meal. Five courses seem to suffice the well
bred family. The journey from soup to nuts
has been shortened and Is not nearly so intri-
cate as it used to be.
The parade to the dining room at large
dinner gatherings has become rather q drift
with the prevailing use Of place cards. There
Is no grand march, unless the occasion be q
most elaborate one to the dinner table with
rank carefully sorted. After informal chatting
and possibly cocktails the gentleman accom-
panies the lady who happens to be nearest him
TO the table and together they hunt their
place cards and designated seats.
For years hosts have not been made to bear
the brunt of night club entertainment that
sometimes follows dinner and the theater. 1e
is considered perfectly proper for the gentle
men of the party to go into such huddle as
the prohibition era viii allow at its close and
split the check The b. y. o. !. rule holds
and there is seldom a split on liquid refresh-
ments unless purchased as extra supplies dur
ing the course of the evening. As matter or
fact, loud insistence of any one gentleman
accompanied by a display of healthy bank
roll to pay the check Is often considered
vulgar. The check is taken care Of silently
by one member and the others attempt to
guess or peek sidewise at the amount and
gently but firmly pay their quota en- route to
the door.
The gentleman who pays the check has been
known TO come out short on the deal. but
there seems to be no better system.
One Judge of perfect behavior points to
~ womenS dress as the most drastic change
in etiquette within the past few years.
ga woman Of today may come to the city In
the morning" she says, properly attired for
shopping. then lunch in good society. attend
a bridge party and even the wedding of an
intimate friend without a change of costume.
A simple frock of printed material is in good
taste and viii suffice for the days activities.
Two years ago this would not be allowed.
Women used to dress to be seen, now they
dress for comfort and to do things" she says.
Dressing for parties is an inheritance from
the days of royal courts when the lady with
four pages carrying her train was considered
more important than the one using only two
pages
Men also dressed fancy in those days, but
have learned better. The well dressed woman
today has found that simpler garments display
more of her beauty and increase her enjoyment
of living"
The week end visit has become simpler and
not the subject of conjecture it was in the
past. With the invitation now come instruc-
tons as to trains to be used for arrival and
departure. The invited lady Is also given in.
formation as to what to wear and frankly in-
formed OF the activities in which she is ex~
pected to participate during the visit.
In smaller cities and towns, the nicely OF
the formal call Is observed on occasions OF
bereavement, illness and upon the arrival OF
newcomers. The new parson and his wife.
the new business leader or political appointee
and his family, are still greeted by neighbcrs
in the warm old fashion and the basic for
malities that have so long existed are still
followed.
The welcome call Is returned within the
week. but much Of the business of developing
and retaining these new friendships are NOW
accomplished by the telephone.