Stickpin Etiquette and Diplomacy

No stranger to etiquette is the new social arbiter. For years, at various diplomatic posts here and abroad, he has had opportunity to learn what to do, how to do it and at just what time. First, as private secretary to the American Minister at Peking, then as Diplomatic Secretary at Constantinople, Paris and until recently at London, to say nothing of service in the State Department at Washington, have attended to that. This side of 50 years of age, one of the best and most correctly groomed men in the diplomatic corps from pince-nez to pearl stickpin in his cravat, he is sartorially perfect.

Washington – What with a short session of Congress and an early Lent resulting in the White House having perhaps its most crowded social calendar in years, the appearance of Ferdinand Lammot Belin in Washington takes on real significance. Belin has been just appointed to the job of social arbiter at the executive mansion. Upon his shoulders rests the responsibility of steering the social program of the White House quickly, yet faultlessly, along its brief way. And from all indications, he is well-equipped for the task. So those observers of the capital’s haute monde seem to think at any rate. Lavish praise of his ability was seen in the papers when his appointment was announced. It was pointed out that Belin is correct—and the “correct” was capitalized throughout. And there was no doubt in the minds of these writers but that he could tell off-hand where Alice Longworth will sit, as well as the weight of the gold braid on a general’s epaulet. 

No stranger to etiquette is the new social arbiter. For years, at various diplomatic posts here and abroad, he has had opportunity to learn what to do, how to do it and at just what time. First, as private secretary to the American Minister at Peking, then as Diplomatic Secretary at Constantinople, Paris and until recently at London, to say nothing of service in the State Department at Washington, have attended to that. This side of 50 years of age, one of the best and most correctly groomed men in the diplomatic corps from pince-nez to pearl stickpin in his cravat, he is sartorially perfect. But with all these qualifications it is by no means an easy task which he finds confronting him. The White House social program cannot be inaugurated until after congress convenes on December 1st. And it must be concluded before Lent starts on February 18. 

There are 14 official functions on the calendar. It’s up to Belin and his associates to wedge these in during the last ’3l days of 1930 and the first 48 days of 1931. Included in this list are the customary five State Dinners—to the cabinet, to the Vice President, to the Chief Justice and the Supreme Court, to the Speaker of the House and to the diplomats. Receptions, including the famous New Year reception to the general public, complete the list. All eyes will turn to the White House this year. Last season’s official entertaining in the capital suffered greatly, due to the deaths of Chief Justice Taft and Secretary of War Good and subsequent periods of mourning.– Herbert Plummer, Washington Correspondence for San Pedro Pilot, 1930

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia