Q and A of Expected 1930’s Etiquette

Q. Should the hostess or her daughter pour at a formal tea?  — A. Neither. If the tea is formal, it is customary to have waiters perform this task. 

• Q. How should a large number of formal invitations be recalled, due to sudden illness?   
• A. Have cards printed, as engraving would delay matters: “Owing to sudden illness Mr. and Mrs. Robert Marshall are obliged to recall their invitations for Wednesday, the tenth of November” 

• Q. Should the hostess or her daughter pour at a formal tea?  
• A. Neither. If the tea is formal, it is customary to have waiters perform this task.  

• Q. Is “Yes, ma’am” the proper answer for a child to give his teacher. 
• A. No. The correct answer is, "Yes, Miss Marshall.” 

• Q. If one enters a streetcar or bus, and sits down next to a friend who is reading a book, should one start a conversation?  
• A. The friend who is reading should take the initiative, and decide whether she wishes to continue reading or converse with you.   

• Q. Do the ushers at a wedding pay for their own outfits?  
• A. Yes, because they are supposed to have in their wardrobes clothes that are suitable for a wedding.   

• Q. Is it proper to pick bones from meat or fish with the fingers?  
• A. This is permitted only in strict privacy.   

• Q. What subjects should always be avoided in general social conversation?  
• A. Religion, politics, illness, operations, death.

— by Roberta Lee, 1930-1939

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