Manners: The Spice of Life

We put on our best shoes when our friends call or when we call upon our friends. In Japan, a woman takes off her shoes at the threshold and makes her call in her stocking feet upon her hostess, who is similarly attired.

Variety as It Is Seen In the Customs of Various Countries

One of the most enjoyable things in travel is to notice how etiquette varies from land to land. In America, when a steamer leaves, the men shake hands and the women kiss each other and sometimes cry. In France and Italy, especially the women weep, while the men kiss and hug each other almost as vigorously as if they were in a wrestling match. 

An American woman shakes hands with a man of her acquaintance, while in Spain she always gives her hand to be kissed. It makes the same sensation in Madrid for a man to seize a woman’s hand and shake it as it does in New York for a foreigner to seize a New York woman’s hand and kiss it.

In America, it is rare for wine or beer to be seen on the table at a woman’s luncheon or dinner party. In Europe, not to have these would be considered the height of discourtesy. Among the western nations, to offer a visitor a cup of tea, is to invite him to prolong his visit. Among the eastern nations, it is the conventional intimation that it is time for him or her to go. 

An American man removes his hat while talking to a woman, while the “cad” keeps it carefully perched upon his ear. In China, a native man would sooner lose his head than be seen without his hat on when in company, while the ruffian takes it off as a mark of disrespect.

We put on our best shoes when our friends call or when we call upon our friends. In Japan, a woman takes off her shoes at the threshold and makes her call in her stocking feet upon her hostess, who is similarly attired. — San Jose Herald, 1895

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