Etiquette and Typed Personal Letters

 Even Emily Post was known to type personal correspondence in the 1930’s and 1940’s. It stands to reason that her etiquette books were sanctioning it, as well, at that time. As someone with arthritis, Etiquipedia has, at times, handwriting which is illegible and approves of typing one’s personal correspondence if one feels a letter will be too poorly written to read. — Above, a letter from Emily Post to a friend in 1940, from the Etiquipedia private library and future Etiquette Museum

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DEAR ANN: My handwriting is the worst I've ever seen. It is illegible and looks like the scribbling of a child. Because of this, I type all letters, invitations, thank you notes, and condolence messages. Last week a friend criticized me because I had typed a letter to a mutual friend whose husband passed away. She said it is better not to send any message than a typed one. Will you express your views on this subject? — Rozelle

Dear Roz: The old hide-bound rules of etiquette are fast bowing to common sense. And I say it's about time. It is better to send a typed note that can be read than a hand-written one which is illegible. — Ann Landers, 1969

🍽️Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber of The RSVP Institute of Etiquette, is the Site Editor of the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Social Slobs Have No Manners

Children should understand from an early age that notes of thanks should be written when gifts are sent or given to them. It’s heartbreaking when parents who have attempted to instill good manners in their child, or children, watch them ignore what they have been taught. It’s a shame they won’t discover that good manners can open doors and bring a wealth of opportunities into a young person’s life.

The Parents of a Social Slob

Dear Ann Landers: Our experiences in parenthood lead us to believe that whoever wrote "as the twig is bent..." was a bachelor. We have bent a lot of twigs through the years, but eventually they grew in the direction of their choice once the pressure of bending was released.

Being the parents of children who are social slobs is an embarrassment. We know we aren't the only ones, so perhaps this letter will end up on some refrigerator doors and bulletin boards. Here's the message: 

Dear Friends and Relatives: We know that not one of you who sent gifts for our son's 18th birthday and high school graduation has heard from him. We are deeply ashamed but decided not to nag him about it. We feel it is high time he accepted responsibility for his own thank-you notes. 

In the future, please do not feel obligated to send him a gift. Chastise him or continue your generosity as you wish. Also, if he doesn't RSVP to an invitation, invite someone else and notify him the day before the party that his place has been filled. Stop including him. If he doesn't return your calls, replace him with a more responsive friend and companion. 

We have done what we can to teach this young man decent manners, which are nothing more than consideration for others. When HE can't collect postal insurance without the embarrassment of asking if HIS gift arrived, maybe he will get the message. We are, of course, His Parents

Dear Parents: Thanks for a terrific letter. I applaud every word of it and recommend that others who find themselves in your position follow your example. — By Ann Landers, 1983

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