Mid 20th C. American Etiquette Advice

All persons who receive wedding invitations know that it requires a gift ... whether it is brought to the reception or mailed to the bride.

☆American Manners of 1947

1. -SHOULD WE EXPECT guests to bring gifts to our wedding reception?-L. C., Los Angeles.

If a person receives a wedding invitation it requires a gift. If he receives an invitation to the reception alone, it requires a gift. All persons who receive wedding invitations know that it requires a gift ... whether it is brought to the reception or mailed to the bride.

2. -WHAT IS CONSIDERED the proper amount to tip if eating in deluxe restaurants?-E. E., Los Angeles.

*The smallest tip you can give is 35 cents if you lunch alone for a bill of two dollars or less; 45 cents for a bill of about three dollars; 50 cents on a total of four dollars and 10 per cent above this. For two persons: add about 15 cents to each of the above sums.

3. -HOW DOES ONE recall an invitation?-F, A., Glendale.

If for illness or any other valid reason invitations have to be recalled the following forms are correct. They are always printed instead of engraved. “Owing to the sudden illness of their daughter Mr. and Mrs. John Jones are obliged to recall their invitations for Tuesday, the Tenth of June.” When temporarily postponing the event the regret reads “Mr. and Mrs. John Jones regret exceedingly that owing to the illness of Mrs. Jones the dance is temporarily postponed.” – By Nell Drake, 1947

*Tipping has gone up in percentages, just as the price of everything else in the United States has gone higher. Tipping of 18% to 20% is the most common range in a restaurant.

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