Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-10
The Uoman ,UhO used to tUait home for
afternoon callers note goes ont calling,
Sore"

II ore!
66@ HECK, please"
winked at her male companion,
hummed the strain of popular
melody, lighted cigarette and
called the waiter-thereby breaking more rules
of old-faShicned behavior than there once were
forks in the silver service.
A few years ago such conduct would have
Mortified any socially correct person in the din
ing room. But it caused hardly a ripple OF
excitement and the young man stopped to light
his cigar while the fair lady hailed taxi
For the rules of stylish procedure, from
teaing to tipping, from spooning to spanking,
have outstepped the bounds of the once stilted
Sbook of etiquette" and become more simple
and practicable. Habits once considered bad
and to be avoided are now being accepted into
the bylaws of society in the same manner as
slang is being Endorsed by the dictionary.
Not that it has become permissible to cool
ones coffee in saucer by deity blowing across
: its exposed surface or to dunk" ones doughnut
I'm the liquid refreshments Of ones choice, but
It is possible now to enjoy dish Of corned
beef and cabbage in the open without fear OF
social ostracization.
politeness of tipping ones hat to a lady-t one
wears a hat-nor the routine Of introductions,
gentleman to lady, nor the dread and butter"
card 18-day diets to the contrary notwith-
standing.
what gentleman dared, 10 years ago, to light
q cigarette without first remarking to the lady
present: do you mind?" Today, pray, what
gentleman dare put forth lean" package OF
flags? He viii possibly surrender most OF them
and suffer a criticism of his favorite brand in
the bargain.
TN THE earlier days of dining, when the Astors
were in flower. men discussed the weighty
affairs of the nation and the universe while
ladies hid behind their fans. Dinner at an end,
the ladies retired leaving the gentlemen to their
wine, smokes coffee. cognac and Pullman car
stories.
Today smoking starts with the cocktail and
continues throughout the courses Pleasant
discussion with all genders participating is con-
tinuous The man who has discovered new
bootlegger finds his wits matched by the house.
wife who has found new way of making gin.
Laughter may be INDUCED in within the
reservation of thin walled apartments. Tricks
with matches, knives, forks. odd pocket trinkets
and mechanical magic appliances may be per-
formed for the entertainment Of all and dinner
has become a boon to humanity rather than
the ordeal it once seemed.
There is even a movement afoot to eliminate
the after dinner speaker.
Men wear hats in business elevators to abb
stain from elbowing companions. Ladies exit
from takes, busseS street cars and subwayS
the door, and thus allow others to alight at
the desired stop.
A lady may be seen in a cigar store and even
"speakeasy' barrooms without stepping traffic
and may outtalk barber to the ediflcation Of
the male occupants of adjoining chairs.
THE formal introduction has been battered
into submission by the younger set, en-
gagements and marriages have increased their
place to lose most of their dreary aspect and
social gatherings have dropped the tortures Of
an inquisition and become delightful informal
meetings.
Consider the formal introduction. There was
time, not many years ago, when 1t was almost
necessary to be born into family to know all
of its members and even that procedure took
several years.
A young man then was properly introduced
to father by club friend of 40 years standing.
After being allowed to settle for few days or
weeks, he was inspected by mother, uncle and
auntie while his family history was under rigid
investigation. If he passed grade Of 50 in the
social QUESTIONABLE and didn't drink, smoke or
chew. he met daughter several weeks later.
What CONSERVATION would occur in staid
old New England family In the gay COS If the
following modern and quite possible conversa-
ton took place after dinner:
Father: Where are you going tonight, daugh-
ter?"
Daughter "Als taking me to see sisters In
Sex"
Father Its very badly done. Who Is this
Al persona"