Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-04-22
MODERN
MANNERS
Always Be Sincere and Natural
In Dealing With Fellow Man
By CAROLYN HAGNER SHAW

With election year very
much upon us. the following
little story could be a case in
point.
There was once a candidate
for reelection in a Kentucky
town, who lost by a margin of
a single vote. This admirable
gentleman h a d personally
prided himself on a knack of
pleasing the home folks. There
was always a smile, a hand
clasp, friendly wave, or a pat
on the back. Passing down
Main street, just before cleo
ton day, he met a lady with
a baby carriage. "Ah," he
exclaimed. with assured greet
ing as he glanced hastily
under the hood of the car
riage. my. my! What a sweet
child. the very image of his
father!" The lady Indignantly
turned her head and walked
off. She was returning from
market with nothing in the
carriage but a head Of cab
bage. Now he knows what cost
him the election!
Insincerity also has it's
place in our daily contacts.
For example, my little friend,
Mrs. inexperienced, is prof.
Gent in one form of insin-
certify that is most irritating.
She will greet you, gushing as
follows: MY dear! So good to
see you. I'm so anxious to
know how things are with
you" Anxious. my eyel Even
If my house had burned down
around me that very morning,
my answer would be Fine"
From past experience I know
that before 1 could say more
than that one word, she would
be off on a tangent about
HER troubles, plans, and what
have you.
Another form of insincerity
to be deplored is the untruth-
full compliment. Now we are
all human and we all enjoy
being on the receiving end of
a f1attering opinion about our
selves. But deliver us from
episodes such as the follow
ing.
Walking in the rain the
other day. looking my sodden
worst and wearing a hat that,
by any standard, was the most
forlorn object to cover a head,
I met a friend. She enthused,
How wonderful you look
and what a stunning hail"
Personally, l resent having
my intelligence, such as it is,
insulted.
Remember, compliments can
be tricky. The done,
obviously insincere one can
definitely boomerang and make
you mighty unpopular. So the
moral, if we must look for one,
is merely to be sincere and
natural in our dealings with
out fellow man. Express pleas
ure at a meeting; express ad-
miration for a gown; but don't
overdo it. Believe me, you
will make a better and more
lasting inpression-and more
friends in the bargain.
Questions and Answers
o. am to be married
shortly and a discussion has
arisen as to whether or not my
best man and ushers stand in
the receiving line at the recep-
tlon. DO they, or don't they?
Mr.. l.. ]. T.
A.-The best man and the
ushers never stand in a receiv-
ing line. Their function Is to
help see that the guests are
all supplied with refreshments
and introduced to each other.
Q.-Both my husband and 1
are nondrinkers. When we
have another couple in for din
ner, is it necessary that we
serve drinks, such as cock
tails before dinner and high
balls afterwards?
Mrs. F. M. T.
A.-You do not have to serve
drinks Of any kind. 1t is def
nitely not a must" 1t is en-
tlrely up to the host and
hostess to do so. or not, as they
see fit.
Q.-Our daughter is to be
married in May. 1t is to be a
formal military wedding. Her
father is not in the service.
AS the bridegroom, best man
IT, d. n. 7