Evening star., 1942-09-08
Grateful Patient
Requests Help
From Expert
May She Send Gift
To Doctor Going
Away TO War?
Bv Emily Post

II ~ IL Wpy oSb
The very natural impulse, now ac-
cented by the war, of grateful
patient to give a present to the doc
tor who has been both skillful and
kind is described in this letter:
MY doctor has been extremely
generous in the way of helping me
to have the best medical attention at
least cost throughout series of very
bad operations. He is now going into
the service and I want very much
to give him a present before he goes
nothing expensive or personal, OF
course. NY sister thinks it would be
very improper for me to give him
anything since he is married, and I
am young. But I don't see what
these points have to. do with a
"thank-you" present.
The only objection to this impulse
is that occasionally one encounters a
patient who wants to give a present
while still owing part of the doctors
bill. But since you probably have
paid your bill, then I think a small
present would, under the circum-
stances, be entirely permissible.
Such a present, for example, might
be good clinical thermometer, or a
fountain pen, or an automatic lead
pencil.
Dear Mrs. Post: I intend to write
personal notes of invitation to my
daughters wedding, on the inside of
folded visiting cards called "infor-
mails" In writing Bob and Mary
are being married at home, ETC., and
we hope you and John can come -
do I have to begin, Dear Cousin
Mary" and put an ending on each
note or may simply write the mes
sage and nothing else? This would
make it simpler.
Answer-Begin 1t, Dear Cousin
Mary" then write your message, and
sign your first name without the
whole signature or any compliment
tary close).
Dear Mrs. Post: My husband and
! are trying to adopt month old
baby girl. We are anxious to know
whether the rules of etiquette in the
christening of children also apply
to an adopted child?
Answer-They are the same-ex-
cept for the possible difference Of
choosing godparents who are SYM
pathetic to the idea of adoption.
But this should present no problem.
Dear Mrs. Post: I know my fu-
ture in-laws, but not very well.
Mother has never met them. 1t is
more than likely that they will not
be able to come here for the we'd
ding. Nevertheless, they should be
invited. We are not sending en-
graved invitations. Mother and I
are inviting verbally those who live
nearby and are writing notes to
others at distance. Our question
is: Should mother write the note
to my fiance's mother, or should ]
write it? Also when immediate
families cannot be present at a
Wedding should they be sent an
nouncements?
Answer-Your mother should
write the note of invitation to the
bridegroom mother. 1t would be
proper and certainly please youl
future mother -in-law If you inclose
or write separate note. saying
how disappointed you will be If none
of the family is able to come.
Dear Mrs. Post: We have a gooe
deal of controversy over the ques.
tion of giving shower for future
sister -in-law My mother doesnr
think it is good taste for any on,
so personally concerned as mem.
ber of our family: whereas I thinl
it Is different since she is not ye
in the family.
Answer-For a sister-in-l 1t Il
quite all right for the reason tina
you yourself give.