1940’s Codes of Student’s Etiquette

“Reading the code brought to my mind what the high school girl had observed.” — Katherine Virginia Sinks, 1944

Observations a young high school miss made in my hearing on the marks of a well-bred youth, are echoed in the code of etiquette for youth compiled by a Dean of Women in an eastern college. Reading the code brought to my mind what the high school girl had observed. And her observations are what interested me in the Dean’s code. 

They practically agree, so I won’t identify their views, but quote them anonymously. “Kindness and consideration for others is the basis of all etiquette.” “He should know how to make correct introductions, must know correct table etiquette and should be neat and well-dressed in appearance.” “He should walk correctly with a girl so that she will not be criticized.” 

And quoting from the West Point code of etiquette, “Nothing so quickly discloses the presence or absence of breeding in a man as does his attitude toward women.” “The home is the true test of etiquette and courtesy. “True breeding is shown in the why a man treats the women who love him.” — From Log Of Life, By Katherine Virginia Sinks, for the San Pedro News Pilot, 1944

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

Beauty Parlor Tipping

While it is customary to tip in large shops where the service is more or less impersonal, in a small shop where the owner does all the work and the service is more personal, a tip might offend rather than please. 

Q. — How does one tip gracefully in a beauty parlor, when and what does one say at the time? High as shampoos are, I resent tipping anyhow, but understand one does in this city anyway. 

A. —As for tipping, I don't believe it requires either grace or conversation. The tip is given when a service has been performed and it is not necessary for the giver to say anything. While it is customary to tip in large shops where the service is more or less impersonal, in a small shop where the owner does all the work and the service is more personal, a tip might offend rather than please. 

In both cases many patrons prefer to express their appreciation by gifts now and then, but only when they go to the same operators all the time. — From the Log of Life, 1943

🪞Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, of The RSVP Institute of Etiquette, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia💇🏻‍♀️