Emily Post’s 1940s Motoring Manners

“A courteous lady will not ‘scold’ others with a horn any more than she would act like a ‘fishwife’ at a party... An honorable man would no more cheat a red light or stop sign than he would cheat at games or sports.”

Tips on Touring

I enjoyed Emily Post’s book on “Motor Manners” so much, that I dropped around to see her the other day and came away with these etiquette tips. 

For men: “The horn should never be used to announce arrival or to call someone to the car. A gentleman will not tune the radio or light the cigarette of a lady beside him as it distracts his attention from the road. An honorable man would no more cheat a red light or stop sign than he would cheat at games or sports.”

For women: “Shorts are permissible attire when driving, with a skirt to be whisked on when propriety demands. A courteous lady will not ‘scold’ others with a horn any more than she would act like a ‘fishwife’ at a party. Heavily veiled hats or obtrusive scarves obstruct vision, are as out of place in motoring as boots in a ballroom.” 

For everyone: ‘‘Obeyance of traffic rules is the best definition of motoring courtesy. Bad manners on the road all too often result in murder. The motorist’s continual application of the Golden Rule will make the use of streets and highways safer and more enjoyable.” – 

By Carol Lane, Women’s Travel Authority, 1949

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