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

1930’s Dating Etiquette Advice

See her scrambling into Ed’s car without letting him open the door politely! He’ll never forgive her for making the passersby, whom he knows, think he has no manners. 

   

Do You Embarrass Your Escort?

Hettie’s a one-date girl and here's why. She makes her unlucky escort look foolish because she doesn’t know her etiquette. See her scrambling into Ed’s car without letting him open the door politely! He’ll never forgive her for making the passersby, whom he knows, think he has no manners. 

She embarrasses every young man she’s gone out with by speaking of him as her “boy friend” rather than as a “a friend of mine” or “a man I know.” At introductions she says, “Pleased to meet you,” instead of the approved, “How do you do.” She neglects thanking him for a pleasant evening. Men judge girls by just such etiquette errors.– Santa Ana Journal, 1936

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