Thursday, April 23, 2020

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


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

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.