The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-07-12
Etiquette.
Cocktail Party
Technique
ByMRS. CORNELIUS BEECKMAN

ByMRS. CORNELIUS BEECKMAN
Dear Mrs. Beeckman:
my aunt and / have recently
taken up housekeeping in a suite.
We are just settled and would like
to have some form of 'hOuSe-warm-
ing There are, in all about 20 or
80 friends whom we would like to
entertain, and for financial rea-
sons we would like to make the
affair do, for a while at least.
although the suite is fairly
large, particularly the living room,
We could not quite comfortably
have all these people IN the house
at the same time.
"DO you think that a cocktail
party on Saturday afternoon from
S to $3.50 las we both go to bust
ness) would be nice? If you think
so, will you please suggest about
how often cocktails should be
passed around, as ! certainly
would not want it OverdOne?
81 would also appreciate some
pointers on intrOductiOns. For
example: When q lady and her
husband come in together, and
the room is already full Of guests,
what form of introduction is really
correct? Subscriber"
A cocktail party-fron S to $50
or 7-on a Saturday afternoon
would be an excellent form Of
party for your housewarming. AS
matter Of fact, nowadays this
is the customary type of party
given for a houSewarming.
I wish I could answer your Sec
ond question. as to how often a
hostess should pass cocktails.
This decision takes constantly
Acknowledgement and an "eagle
eye" There are usually some
guests at a cocktail party who
seem to demand constant watch.
ing subtle watching, but watch
ing.
Some Of these guests mean to
be greedy, and some of them for
get to be mannerly and wise. But
most of your guests will have the
native good sense and good man
ners and good judgment to be
ladies and gentlemen.
Enjoy these, while you keep the
others in mind. Be generous in
your hospitality. but not too gen.
erous. Moderation is the best
word for everyone concerned with
a party, hostess and guests, to
keep in mind.
The first thing to keep in mind
concerning group introductionS is
that individual introductions
should be made. That is, a woman
and her husband are not intro
duced as Mr.. and Mrs. Jones.
We introduce Mrs. Jones sep
arately to the other women
guests and then we introduce the
men guests to Mrs. Jones. Then
we introduce Mr.. Jones, first tc
the women guests, and then to the
men.
Another thing to keep in mind
concerning group introductlonS L
that it Is not necessary or IN good
taste to take guest around the
room and introduce her or him
to everyone.
The best way, the simplest ano
most convenient way, is to intro
duce the arriving guests to few
guests, the guests who are stand
ing near us. Then, in a few min
utes, it is natural for the intro
auctions to spread"
Or the guest may make a sell
introduction to guest whom Sht
or he may be joining.
Remember to introduce mar
| to a woman. Miss Graham, may
I present Mr.. Masters" or Mis-
Graham, Mr.. Masters INTRODUCED
q younger woman to an oldel
woman MRS. Jones, may
introduce Miss Williams" or MRS
Jones, this is Miss Williams"
Introduce a younger man TO al
older man. When you are intro
ducing two women OF approx
mately the same age, and one l
married and the other is unmar
ried, introduce the unmarried
woman to the married woman.
that is, say the married woman
name first. And the same is tru
when you introduce two men.
And remember, too. that the gra
cious hostess finds something az
propriate to say to two peopl
whom she is introducing that vii
easily and delightfully."- give ther
a cue to the beginning OF thei
conversation.
st know that you and Mrs. Hel
man will find lots Of things to sa
about your mutual enthusiasm
California. Mrs. Herman jus
came from a winter there" o
I'm going to leave you and MI
Brewster to talk about the election
and perhaps it's safer If I witt
draw"
Copyright, 1887, by King Features
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