Emily’s “Good Taste” #3

A 1940 letter from Emily Post to a friend. This letter is part of a group of letters from Emily Post to a friend in the 1930’s and 1940’s. This group of letters was acquired for the Etiquipedia Etiquette Museum, scheduled to be opened within the coming 5 years.

Good Taste Today

Part 3

Dear Mrs. Post: After we were married two weeks ago, my husband was presented with a radio by his fellow office workers. They gave it to him at the office and he brought it home. Now he thinks that I should write a note to his boss, thanking every one, whereas I feel that they did not intend this to be a wedding present to me personally. If they had they would have sent the radio to our house, wouldn't they? 

Answer: I think you are perfectly right that it was a present to him individually and that you should not bo expected to thank them. In fact, I think If you wrote a note now it would be like getting up to take a bow to an audience who has applauded your husband's speech. 

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Dear Mrs. Post: Should people who come to my beauty shop be properly spoken of as customers, clients, patrons or what? And should ladies who come regularly to my shop and whose names I naturally know very well be called Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Brown, or Madam? 

Answer: You speak of your "customers" and you call those whom you know personally by name (i. e., Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Brown) and you call strangers "Madam." – By Emily Post in the San Bernardino Sun, 1939                

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