The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-08-06
GOOD TASTE
TODAY
BY EMILY POST

in part: I can hardly believe that
the congregation Of an impover-
ished minister can expect that he
and his wife SEND present every
time a wedding takes place IN his
church. am such a minister. and
my wife is worried every time I
officiate at a wedding about not
doing the right thing. She and I
both viii be more comfortable II
you will tell US what to do"
In answer TO this. let me say
very firmly that in my opinion It
would be financially impossible
that a clergyman and his wife
send a present to the daughter OF
the Joneses. let us say, in whose
house he is constantly made well
come and where he and his wife
are both very much at home. And
of course 1t would not do TO send
present To Alice Jones, and then
send none 10 Margaret Greene at
whose wedding he is also going to
officiate. The rule, therefore, is
that only to members of his own
family, or TO friends outside of his
own parish. may he properly send
wedding present.
Walk In or Ring at a Tourist
House:
Dear Mrs. Post: If the door Is
ajar or unlocked. may an inquir-
ing traveller walk in at a house
that advertises rooms for tourists
Answer: After you have taken
room in the house, you of course
go in and out without ringing the
bell. provided the door is kept I'M
locked. But before this. you must
ring the bell and wait for some
one to answer the door. Aside
from this being the polite way to
behave. you would probably find
yourself in an empty hall with nc
way TO attract anyone's attention
except to go out of the front door
again. and ring the bell
A Present That Is a Mystery
Dear Mrs. Post: I sent a pres
ent several weeks ago to a friend
in whose house I often stay. And
l forgot to leave a card at the
store. OF course I haven't had
any message from the friend, and
she probably doesn't realize that
she could find out who sent it by
telephoning the store. I feel rather
embarrassed to let her know now
that I sent it, because it might
suggest that 1 thought she should
have known enough to thank me.
Is there some round about way ]
could do it without having to ask
direct?
Answer: You can, and should,
clear up the mystery at once, since
your friend is undoubtedly embar-
raised because unable to thank
the giver. She may have thought
of the store, but even this may be
impossible if you paid cash and
were unknown to the sales clerk.
Also it may be that the wrapping
was carried away before she no.
ticed that no card was enclosed.
II / were you. I'd certainly write
her about it. In fact, I can't mag
inc why you don't.
Forget-me-not Sentiment
Dear Mrs. Post: Is it improper
to write a note of congratulation
to man I used to know very well
whose engagement has just been
announced? 1 don't know his
fiancee at all. And would it be
permissible to write this to his
office. as am not sure where he
now lives?
Answer: see no objection to
writing him and wishing him hap.
piness, if you can do this without
showing a ''fo-get-me-not" senti-
ment. Certainly you may send
your note to his office.
Four Girls Alone In a Cottage
Dear Mrs. Post: We are four
girls, all past 81. who want to
take cottage for a few weeks
by ourselves. That is, We don't
want to have to take an extra
person to be chaperon. Our
mothers say we don't have to ar.
range for any one if you say it,
all right.
Answer: If you have always
been well-behaved at home, I cant
imagine that any one would dis.
approve of your plan. On the other
hand, ] think you might be over
looking the advantages of having
some one with you who could be
considered a chaperon, because
with such a person to look after
you, YOU would be free To ask