Showing Courtesy to “the Trade”

A woman happily driving her car in 1914 – By the early 1900’s, younger and older women alike had found much freedom with the ability to drive. A freedom many did not want to give up!

Captain Robert H. Dundas of the traffic bureau of Sacramento’s police department has great pride in the courtesy that the Capital City extends to its visitors and desiring to sustain and add to that community spirit of consideration to the stranger, he has requested that during the rush of the holiday season Sacramentans show to all that come within its borders the very last word in automobile and traffic etiquette.

Captain Dundas in making his request said: With the holiday buying season upon us, great numbers of shoppers from out of the city will be coming in their automobiles to make their Christmas purchases. At the same time the home folks also will do more shopping than usual. The result will be that the already congested condition of the downtown streets due to parked automobiles will be made worse.

In view of these facts it would be a good idea if the Sacramento residents, particularly the women shoppers, would refrain from what we term “auto shopping,” that is, driving their cars downtown when they go shopping. From now on until after the holiday shopping season is over, their actions will leave available for out-of-town shoppers parking space that they otherwise may not be able to find.

There can be no doubt that such consideration would be very greatly appreciated by out-of-town shoppers, who often have a limited time in which to do a large amount of shopping. – Stockton Independent, 1923

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