Evening star., 1936-03-02
Is
First Rule
In Etiquette
Has Always Been
Fundamental
Principle.
BY EMILY POST.

Dear Mrs. Post-Is 1t ever not dis
courteous to try to cancel an engage
ment in favor of CAle which turns up
later and which would probably not
happen again for long while? For
example: If I had given the evening
to man (George) who comes fire.
quently. and man Gohn) see very
seldom happens to come into town
unexpectedly and can stay only for
that evening, would 1t be rude to try
to cancel the evening with the first
man in order to spend 1t with the
second? 4.
AnsWer-This is one occasion when
normally eXacting rule might pos
sibly be relaxed. depending upon the
quality Of friendship between you and
both men. If George Is a serious type
Of man and in love with you and you
have let him believe you love him.
he Is not likely to be happy N the
thought that you want to spend the
evening with John Oldflame. To make
1t party and ask several girls as
well as men IS perhaps the most skill
full solution whereby you can keep the
unspoiled interest Of both men. On
the other hand, If George Is an old
friend-above all II. he Is q casual,
impersonal type Of mamie would
probably not mind at all II you ask
frankly, could you come to see me
Tuesday or Thursday instead of We'd
nesday? An old friend of mine, whom
I haven't seen for years, is in town
just for that one evening and I hate
to tell him I can't see him at all. You
don't mind, do you?" Or say what
ever Is best. But whatever you do,
don't tell George you have headache
and then go to dine or to the theater
Or even sit at home-with John!
Dear Mrs. Post-Just how much
freedom must one allow tradespeople
in our houses? A man who comes
once week to collect for the market
where buy most Of my supplies in
variably takes out a cigarette and
starts to smoke while still in the
house. I have no cook, nor servant,
nor help Of any kind. and must neces-
sarily see him myself.
Answer-Tell him politely, "Please
don't smoke in my kitchen-I don't
like the smell Of 1t to get into the
food"-or "the smell upsets me"-or
give no reason further than that you
don't like smoking.
X II X
Dear Mrs. Post: Please answer
these questions about the serving Of
waffles and pancakes. I'd like to
have them when We have friends in,
but never do because I'm not sure
how they should be served. 90 Is
it correct for the hostess to help each
plate? (A) If your house is not
handicapped by lack Of service. there
should be a high stack of them
enough for every one at table to
take two or three single sections. In
other words, three or four ironfuls
should be made and collected on q
platter kept in the oven and then
passed around the table. But ii
they are made at the table, then I
suppose each would receive one Sec
ton at time. I don't see how
waf1es could be made at table for
more people than the number Of
waffle iron sections. (Q) Is 1t cor
rect to butter all the pancakes on
ones plate at one time. while they
are hot, or one at time? (A) All
at once. 90 How should the butter
and the jelly or jam be spread on
them-with fork or knife? ca With
knife. Wafiles and pancakes are
knife and fork foods. by the way.
have you ever tried making q hot
sirup Of butter and either sirup or
sugar, and pouring 1t on? In any
case, melted butter Is more practical
than cold butter. If you dislike the
taste of melted butter, then have it
only partially melted and beaten very
soft.
(copyright 1885,.