Collegiate Etiquette Advice for 1940

“Out in the sun once more! Try to walk gracefully, balancing your head on your shoulders, one foot in front of the other, and your back straight. Relax, and enjoy your surroundings…” — Okay, this might be a little too relaxed! Lounging on the grass might be better left for when classes are completely over!

There you go! Head down, books straggling out from beneath your arm, and your shoe laces untied, as you hurry across the campus at an ungainly gallop. You arrive in the classroom and plunk yourself down in the nearest chair, heave a sigh of relief and look around you.

You admire the grace and poise of the few of your classmates who manage to walk across the lawn without looking like the leaning tower of Pisa. You envy their powers of equilibrium, but you sigh and shake your head. Such gracefulness is not for you, besides, you never have time. Some day you are going to take a day off, learn how to walk and become a second Heddy Lamarr, but until you can afford that day off you will continue to blunder along somehow.

Why The Hurry?

Why not do something about it? You don't have to imitate the posture of the Hunchback of Notre Dame, just because you have a few (?) books to carry. Classes never begin on the hour, and even so, it is better to arrive just on time, than to rush in ahead of time with that expression of terror, mingled hope and fear, we note upon your visage.

In the first place, why not, when the bells have rung, and the instructor reluctantly bids you adieu, quietly collect your books, and leave the room slowly. Hold yourself back, if necessary, and be sure to keep your head up. Remember, you are not Hawkshaw on a case, which necessitates you running along with your nose on the ground.

Now, that you're safely out of the room, walk slowly down the hall (not too slowly) and notice how many people you miss, with whom you usually collide. 

You're On The Campus Now!

Out in the sun once more! Try to walk gracefully, balancing your head on your shoulders, one foot in front of the other, and your back straight. Relax, and enjoy your surroundings as you walk along. 

Notice your fellow students, which is a pleasure you miss when you are hurrying along watching the grass. When you enter your next class, pause first at the door, size up the room and the chairs, then go in and sit down. When you rush blindly in, it is several seconds before your eyes. adjust themselves, and you lose every semblance of poise.

Remember! You're a College student, and not the Man with the Hoe. You may feel like him (just before finals) but what you need is Poise! — Sally’s Social Slants for the Oak Leaf, 1940

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

1940’s Etiquette and Equal Rights

Hats may be hats, but etiquette still differentiates between the customs of men and women. In other words, it is never necessary for women to tip their hats, while it is often the rule for a gentleman. 

Why must the men take off their hats And wave them shoulder-high, While the women smugly keep theirs on when the flag is passing by. Why, in these days of “equal rights,” Should this fact be always true? Men’s hats come off when they meet the girls, why don’t girls doff theirs, too! The reason is that hats may be hats, but etiquette still differentiates between the customs of men and women. In other words, it is never necessary for women to tip their hats, while it is often the rule for a gentleman. 

The controversy arises as to whether the hat should be raised when a patriotic song, ether than the national anthem, is played. No, it is not necessary. The hat should be lifted only when thq flag is passing or when “The Star Spangled Banner” is played. Custom has changed the etiquette of tipping your hat to every lady you chance to meet. This is impractical, as you would soon wear your hat out. Nevertheless, the hat should be tipped when you meet a lady of your acquaintance, and should be taken off when in the theater, lobby of a hotel, church or an elevator. 

When you tip your hat to a lady, it need not be taken completely off, merely raised slightly. When the flag goes by, the hat should be taken off and held over the heart. Of course, in public buildings, as the theater, it is a matter of convenience to take it off and hold it in your hand. This bit of etiquette may seem very elementary to collegiates, but due to the fact hats are seldom worn on the campus, it is a good idea to check up on what to do when you do wear a hat. 

Ladies need never remove their hats in public places, but it is a good idea to let the people in the show behind you see some of the picture instead of your New York creation. So if you wear a reproduction of the leaning tower of Pisa or a similar style, remember we are all behind you! - Sally’s Social Slants in The Oak Leaf, 1940

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

Less Prosperity = More Manners

The Depression and Post-Depression generation of students reach a much higher level of character development than their predecessors in the colleges during a more prosperous era.

Survey Shows Higher Morals Prevalent

College students today are far more moral than those of former eras, according to Myron C. Cole, Assistant Dean of Men at Chapman College, who has been conducting a survey upon the manners and morals of the students found in his college. The Depression and Post-Depression generation of students reach a much higher level of character development than their predecessors in the colleges during a more prosperous era, according to Mr. Cole.— The Corsair, 1937

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

Collegiate Etiquette Class

Three common types of soup spoons — A bouillon spoon, a cream soup spoon and a regular soup spoon: For Continental or American Dining, the spoon is dipped away from those dining, then brought to mouth level, and the soup sipped from the side of the spoon bowls. 

Etiquette Class to Put Silencer on Soup Spoons

No longer will it be necessary for the students of the New York University to be heard eating their soup, for Professor Arthur H. Nason has organized a class in etiquette where all such social difficulties will he straightened out.

Professor Nason takes the stand that the knowledge of which is the proper fork, is just as necessary nowadays as is which is the proper mathematical formula, and he has offered to conduct his new class gratis for the benefit of the university students. – International News Service, New York, 1916

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

A Collegiate Etiquette Lesson

 College students nationwide, following a Harvard undergrad’s $10 bet, set off a sensation across the U.S. in 1939
 — Above, the moronic craze of swallowing live goldfish.

 

 

According to an Associated Press release, a Chinese student at the University of Michigan, who memorized phrases from an etiquette book, had his first opportunity to try them out at a reception given by University President, Alexander Ruthven. When a cup of tea was handed to him, he solemnly responded: “Thank you, sir, or madam, as the case may be.” — As reported in The Express, October 1939

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