I now own an old etiquette book-post your questions now!

While rummaging through the shelves of a local thrift shop today I found an old book about the rules of etiquette. The copyright date is 1923. It was a steal at seventy five cents and I've had a fun time reading it so far.

Anyone have any questions that this book can answer?

Let's say I'm throwing a dinner party. After the meal, one of the guests uses the guest bathroom. She is in there a really long time. So long that a line begins to form outside the bathroom. There are all kinds of bewildering and embarrassing noises coming out of the bathroom. Is it OK for the guests to make humiliating and degrading jokes about the poor woman? Or should one inquire about the well-being of the woman through the door? What is the proper way to address such a situation?

Gassed in Gaithersburg

how a woman should never be afraid to order a delicious and satisfying meal. This meal should cause a pleasant memory to linger of her charming personality. This could be parlayed into a conversation about the restroom.

According to the book every comment should be made while utilizing proper manners. In other words, be sure to address her properly while humiliating her and wish her a pleasant evening after she's left and all should be well.

She said that we must ignore any and all sounds emitting from a bathroom and we are forbidden to discuss such things in polite company.

Apparently the bathroom is some sort of Safety Zone where anything goes. I've carried that lesson with me all my life. Ironically, I rarely get invited to dinner parties.

At least, I can't find a reference to it in this book. Instead, the most important topics include having the man order a meal for a woman, since she never knows what to order, men walking in front of women while climbing the stairs (quite controversial for some of the older folk at that time since some still felt that only the "fast" girls showed their ankles), and whether or not to raise a hat in an elevator.

The comment about a pleasant memory at dinner is actually in the book. It's a hoot.

Hey,
Thanks for that one, funny stuff, and I enjoyed the reply too!

Peace

wear a hat in the house? Is it still shocking not to use a jewel-handled revolver?

considered unseemly. And the bandit may not wear a hat if women are present.

address the subject of tipping

" A well-regulated system of moderate tipping with an increase for extra service and teh courage to withhold or lower when the service has been inadequate is not only helpful for the individual but for the general public.
"When the waiter is old and rather slow the tip may be increased knowing he is unable to compete with the quick younger ones. A friendly word and a smile to those who serve brings a bit of cheer into dull, dreary lives.
"Ten percent of the charge is usual, but where two are served and the total small the tip should be increased. A quarter is sufficient for two women at luncheon or in the smaller Italian restaurants, but if there is extra service or it has been very speedy the addition of ten or fifteen cents is appreciated. A gentleman tips more when dining with a lady, and the proper tip given courteously carries more weight than a large one flung grouchily for little service."

Hi,
What does the book have to say about smoking if anything?

Peace

What we need to know is if you are male or female.

Hi,
Well, I'm male and don't smoke, but curious as to what it says please.

Peace

It's the females that are considered "evil" if they smoke.

Basically, it gives you guidelines for appropriate situations of when to smoke and when not to smoke. It's appropriate to smoke a cigar while making a business deal, after supper, etc. It's not appropriate for a woman to smoke-ever.

Remember, the book was written in the 20's.

mikey_the_rat

She was the ULTIMATE authority.

This wasn't her. Instead, it was a school textbook. There are notes written throughout the margins about assignments due by Wednesday or letters due on Friday.

It's just a sweet, charming little book that someone studied, whether for school or an outside class/club.