1930’s Etiquette Advice

“If you are inviting friends who have visitors staying with them to your house it is usual to include the visitors in the invitation except in the case of a dinner, when you need not necessarily do so. It is not necessary to call on them first, as they are only asked out of compliment to their hostess.” – Two little girls dressed in their Easter Sunday best , standing in front of their new home in their new neighborhood, circa 1931

Etiquette Notes for Women of 1931

If you return to live in a neighborhood again after a long absence call on all your friends without waiting for them to call on you first.

If you are inviting friends who have visitors staying with them to your house it is usual to include the visitors in the invitation except in the case of a dinner, when you need not necessarily do so. It is not necessary to call on them first, as they are only asked out of compliment to their hostess.

If at a dinner party there is one extra lady the hostess generally goes in by herself, following behind the last couple.

A hostess should always allow a visitor to enter the carriage before her when going for a drive.

When an engagement is announced write your congratulations or give them in person to the prospective bride and bridegroom as soon as possible. — Imperial Valley Press, 1931

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

More 1930’s Etiquette Advice

Her etiquette sense makes dining out with her a pleasure... More etiquette advice from the 1930’s

Good Table Manners Bring Dinner Dates

Mary’s manners fit her like a glove. So smooth, so easy. Her etiquette sense makes dining out with her a pleasure. She waits gracefully poised by the table until Frank pushes her chair in place. When seated she lays her napkin in one or two folds across her lap, scans the menu and indicates her preference to Frank. She breaks small pieces from her roll, does not gnaw it. Drinks bouillon from its cup after sipping a spoonful or two. If she’s unfortunate to get a fishbone in her mouth, she removes it inconspicuously with her fingers—not behind her napkin. — S.A. Journal, 1937

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

You’re Judged by Poor Table Manners

“If she can’t even eat a hot dog properly she might crumble crackers in her soup.” – Do you think that one does not need good manners for eating something like a hot dog? Good manners are always required, regardless of what one is eating! In 1939, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor served hot dogs and beans to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of England. The King was said to have enjoyed them them and even asked for “seconds!”

Hot dog etiquette is basically the same as sandwich etiquette:

• Eat it slowly, taking small bites, one at a time. 
• Eat from one end to the other, holding the hotdog sideways.
• Chew and swallow before taking another small bite. 
• Do not “over dress” your hot dog in the bun, so that dressings are falling into your lap or getting on to your face or clothing.
• Do not talk with your mouth full. 
• Use a napkin to dab your lips often.

   

People Judge You By Your Table Manners

Jim won’t be seen again with Bertha, that’s certain. It’s a safe bet that any girl who talks with her mouth full has other embarrassing manners, too. If she can't even eat a hot dog properly she might crumble crackers in her soup. Or prop her silverware against the edge of her plate, when she's done instead of laying it neatly across. Or grasp her water goblet around the top rather than by stem and lower part of bowl.

Too bad she ruined this promising relationship just by eating her hot dog incorrectly. Maybe you, too, are misjudged for small etiquette errors. Brush up with the help of an etiquette book which tells how to eat, what implements to use, what to say and do wherever you are at home parties, restaurants, clubs, dining-cars, and other public places. – From the S.A. Journal, 1936

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

Even More 1930’s Etiquette Advice

Etiquette simply means good manners or consideration for others. Many people profess to scorn fine manners but they seldom appreciate rudeness in others or inconsiderate conduct.

8 More Hints on Etiquette

According to formal rules of etiquette, a hostess should wait 20 minutes for a tardy dinner guest before beginning the meal without him. - 1936

Etiquette is very important when one is riding in a public conveyance. The well-bred person never attracts attention to himself by being boisterous and offensive. – 1936

It is not considered good practice to spread jelly on bread at the table. The proper way is to put a piece of bread in the mouth and follow it with a small portion of jelly on a fork. - 1936

Many of the common rules of etiquette do not apply in the business office. For instance, when you are seated at your desk you need not rise when your employer or any member of the office staff approaches you. – 1936

When wine is served and there are no servants, the host pours for the guest of honor and passes the bottle to the next gentleman, who serves the woman beside him before passing it on to the next man. The host is the last person served. – 1936

As a general thing the man waits for the woman to recognize and greet him when they meet. Common sense is the better etiquette, however, and after a first meeting man and woman greet each other cordially, without thought of precedence or rules. – 1938

Etiquette simply means good manners or consideration for others. Many people profess to scorn fine manners but they seldom appreciate rudeness in others or inconsiderate conduct. – 1939

There is such a thing as etiquette of the telephone. Don’t continue to carry on a long, intimate conversation with a friend, if you are on a party line, and someone is trying to get the line. She may need a doctor or help of some other kind. – 1939

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

More 1930’s Etiquette Advice

In Continental Dining, the salad course is served after the main course, as it is felt that the salad “aids in digestion.” Thus, the salad fork and salad knife at the place setting, are the closest to the left and right sides of the plate. — “Cutting dinner salads with a table knife is permissible under dictates of the new etiquette.”

8 More Hints on Etiquette 

A high school boy should not only rise when a lady enters the room, but also when a girl over 12 years old enters. — 1937

Modern etiquette considers it in good taste to serve the woman guest of honor first rather than the hostess. — 1937

Informal teas are held in the living room, on porch or lawn. They are never served in the dining room. — 1937

Faultless etiquette is never more desirable than at the bridge table. The ideal player does not argue, snap the cards, whistle or take excessive time in playing. — 1937

It is poor etiquette to permit a child to run up and down a railroad car. — 1937

Cutting dinner salads with a table knife is permissible under dictates of the new etiquette. — 1937

Courtesy should prevail on the highway as well as in the ballroom. The keynote of road etiquette is “consideration”. — 1938

The new etiquette does not look with favor upon stilted speech. The first law of good speech is to say the natural, spontaneous thing in a natural, spontaneous way. — 1938

 From the “Grab Bag” feature in the Imperial Valley Press, 1937 and 1938

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

1930’s Etiquette Advice

Like all advice, etiquette advice should only be given when it is requested. Make certain to learn the specifics of what wants to know prior to giving said advice.

6 Hints on Etiquette 

It is not advisable to permit children to attend formal dinners. They are too restless to endure the process of serving leisurely courses. – 1937

Though popularly used, the phrase “Pleased to meet you” is not in good taste. “I am delighted to know you” is the preferred acknowledgment. – 1937

If her next dance is promised, a young woman waits for her partner to come to her. – 1938

When playing bridge, one should not touch his cards until the deal is completed. – 1938

Never introduce two persons unless you are quite certain the introduction will be pleasing to both of them. – 1938

Stationery used for business letters should have dignity and quality- White paper is considered the most desirable. - 1938

From the “Grab Bag” feature in the Imperial Valley Press, 1937 and 1938

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

1930’s Etiquette and the Sexes

Q. When a man is being introduced to a girl, is it proper for him to offer his hand? 
A. No; he should wait for the girl to offer her hand, if she cares to do so. That is her privilege.

Q. When a man and a girl meet often, but have never been introduced, is it all right for the girl to speak ?
A. Yes, if she is much interested and is courageous enough to run the risk of an undesirable acquaintance.

Q. When a man is being introduced to a girl, is it proper for him to offer his hand?
A. No; he should wait for the girl to offer her hand, if she cares to do so. That is her privilege.

Q. What should a girl do when a young man calls in the evening and doesn't seem to knew when to go?
A. Allowing long lapses in the conversation is sometimes an effective method. If this doesn't work, it seems that a suppressed yawn or two would be justified.  

Q. What does it indicate when a man. in conversation, is constantly talking: about himself, his adventures and experiences ? A. It is a sure indication of ill-breeding, and such a man can never become popular.

Q. Is it ever proper for the parents of a girl’s fiance to announce the engagement.
A. No; this is the privilege of the girls parents only.

Q. Is it sufficient for a bride and bridegroom to thank their friends verbally for wedding gifts.
A. No; a personal letter of thanks should be written by the bride for each gift.

Q. Is it necessary to write the prefix “Mr.” when “Jr.” is used after a man’s name?
A. Yes, both Mr. and Jr. must be used. – Roberta Lee’s “Modern Etiquette,” 1930’s

 

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

Etiquette and Agony Aunts

Numerous “Agony Aunts” have given advice to readers of magazines and newspapers throughout the late 19th, the 20th and now into the 21st centuries. Even the popular period drama, “Downton Abbey,” had an Agony Aunt of its own, offering advice to women in Edith’s magazine. Butler for the Dowager Countess, Septimus Spratt, wrote under a female pseudonym. 

Agony Aunt, Anne Singleton, Gives Advice Passed Down from Her Aunts

“Dear Miss Singleton:

In writing a note to accept an invitation, one should say ‘I accept with pleasure.’ Or ‘I have pleasure in accepting.’ The act of accepting is not in the future, but in the present so ‘I shall be delighted to accept’ is wrong. 

Sincerely yours, A. H. L.” 

And so it is technically wrong, and often enough my aunts have called the same to my attention in early youth! But by the almost universal sanction of custom (and smart custom at that), this mode of expression has assumed a correctness which, as my correspondent points out, is not a true one. We project ourselves into the future when we say, “shall be delighted to accept” and imagine ourselves already at the party. We should say, “I shall be delighted to dine, dance, or play cards with you.” But “I accept with pleasure your kind invitation to dine, dance or play cards.” 

 A. H. L. is right, and I entirely agree with her. I was so carried away by the “will” and “shall” illustration, and so accustomed to the rather casual social usage of today, that it never struck me as incorrect. Alas, I am many years away from my aunts’ accurate teaching. Under their tuition, I learned to say “In the street,” never “On the street” one lived on a road, but in a street because the houses formed the street. To this day, I feel guilty when I find myself using any other forms of expression than those they approved. — San Bernardino Sun, 1931

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