Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-10-13
MODERN
MANNERS
Lock OF Common Courtesies
At Parties Is Deplored
BY CAROLYN HAcNER SHAW

With the Capitals social
season getting into full swing.
IL would seem that hints land
not so gentle ones ether
should be directed toward
those Of us who will assume
the role of guests at parties.
Frankly. I have been appalled,
at the lack Of common cour-
tesy and thoughtfulness for
others that / have observed
at some Of the functions I
have attended recently.
Among the attractions Of
courtesy on the part Of guests
that ! noticed were the care
less smokers. Ashes dropped
everywhere, cigarette butts
ground out on the floor, with
complete disregard for an
others property. II the host
esS has neglected to supply
sufficient aShtrays, there Is
some excuse for this universal
habit. but II aShtrays are
spread around. there is no ex-
cuse whatever.
Why will people stop and
chat at length In the very
middle Of a doorway through
which others must pass to
reach the receiving line! BY
the way. while on this sub
ject, it is well to remember
that there is no point to q
receiving line unless those re-
ceiving and those arriving
are made known to each
other. The arriving guest
gives her name merely as
Miss Smith" or Mrs.
Green"-the first name is
never given. The hostess
should shake hands with the
guest. greet her briefly, then
turn to the next person in
line with the introduction,
Mrs. Green. Mr.. Brown" 1t
is to be hoped that the in
coming guest will not hold up
the line by stopping to chat.
Save the news about mutual
friends and lengthy illusions
until later.
Introduce Yourself
If. in the confusion, the
guest Is not introduced by
each member Of the receiving
line to the person standing
. next to them. it is proper for
. the arriving guest to say.
How do you do, I am Mrs.
Green" and the member Of
the receiving line should
answer, How do you do. Mrs.
Green. I am Mr.. Jones"
: After passing through the
line. don't congregate near it
. to greet your friends, thereby
forcing new arrivals to walk
around you after they have
J. greeted those receiving. To
) keep the receiving line from
being engulfed by this
! thoughtleSs practice, the
clever hostess. knowing that
she will be busy in the line.
will ask several Of her friends
to assist" This means that
as a guest leaves the receiv-
ing line. one of these assist
ants is at hand to show her
to the buffet table. In ad-
ton to showing q gracious
hospitality. this keeps traffic
clear for new arrivals.
Incredible Behavior
Now. for our buffet man
ners. All too often. rather
deplorable. I'm afraid. At a
recent party I attended the
buffet was lavish and de-
licious, but I couldn't help
wondering if most Of the
guests were near starvation.
from the way they showed
and pushed to get to the table.
and from the heaping plates
they took away. No, took
away" IS the wrong descrip-
ton. for too many Of the
guests piled their plates With
the delicious food. then stood
right at the side Of the buffet
table while eating, thought
lessly blocking the way for
others to approach. The same
procedure took place around
the table where liquid refresh
ments we're being served. II
was almost. well. revolving is
not too extreme a word. to
see this piggish selfishness.
And how do the hostesses
take 1t all? They are charm.