More 1930’s Dating Etiquette

                   

This young chap is embarrassed because his girl hangs on his arm while he buys movie tickets. He envies the man behind him whose “date” properly ignores the transaction.

Your Social Blunders Embarrass Others

Watch your movie manners theater manners. Let your escort spend his money without your help. This young chap is embarrassed because his girl hangs on his arm while he buys movie tickets. He envies the man behind him whose “date” properly ignores the transaction.

You’d expect the first couple to stumble rudely over other people’s feet, crunch candy, nudge each other and giggle. And it’s so easy to say “I’m sorry” if you have to pass in front of others. And be considerately quiet once you are seated.

Check your score on social carelessness. Do you ever stop at a restaurant table to prattle gaily for 10 minutes while the men in the party stand at attention.

Do you make up your face in the street car instead of getting it in order before you leave home or dressing-room? People judge you by your every-day conduct. 

Learn good manners for street, shop, restaurant, automobiles, introductions and invitations. – Santa Ana Journal Home Service. 1937

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

Etiquette for When In a Street Car

Inquisitive curiosity, talking over private affairs, making unpleasant remarks within hearing of those talked about – these all show the observer that politeness, which is etiquette, is unknown in that quarter.

Upon entering a street car, those who know how to behave will take a seat quietly, without trying to attract attention or in any manner making themselves conspicuous. 

Names should not be mentioned; gossip should be strictly avoided; a pleasant acknowledgment of small courtesies, such as a move to permit of passing and all those small things that in themselves seem of no importance, but in the aggregate speak loudly of the perfection of good breeding or the lack of it, as the case may be.

Inquisitive curiosity, talking over private affairs, making unpleasant remarks within hearing of those talked about – these all show the observer that politeness, which is etiquette, is unknown in that quarter. – The Trinity Journal, 1914

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

Streetcar Manners Fine

He was one of that class of men who sit, utterly regardless of the rights and comforts of others. His kind abound in all public places and especially in street cars and in railroad cars. One of his pleasures is to occupy seat space large, enough for two. Sprawling out and crossing his legs are little diversions of his. 

Bad Feet Manners

A Brooklyn magistrate has imposed a fine of $10.00 on a man for crossing his legs on a street car. He merits the honor of a modern Daniel. The culprit who faced the justice was merely typical of the large class of men. He was one of that class of men who sit, utterly regardless of the rights and comforts of others. His kind abound in all public places and especially in street cars and in railroad cars. One of his pleasures is to occupy seat space large, enough for two. Sprawling out and crossing his legs are little diversions of his. 

His brother is the end-seat hog who infested the old-fashioned open cars and his sister is the stony faced woman who permits her young hopeful for whom she has paid no fare, to occupy all of one seat, stand on it, wipe his sticky hands on the people in front of him and his feet against the clothes of all who happen to pass by the seat. In the case of the man in Brooklyn, a determined woman brought him to grief and incidentally before the magistrate, who assessed the fine against him. It is to be hoped there will be hundreds of other determined women who will take similar action and who will in the end be able to make these ill-mannered men conduct themselves rightly. – The Morning Union, 1912

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

Transit Etiquette of Two Cities

A United Railways of St. Louis, “Moonlight Car” from 1908.  The term “Moonlight Car” in St. Louis has been handed down since the company operated on pleasure trips and amusement park traffic. It was a special type of railroad car, constructed with a canvas roof, which could be rolled back. As the canvas was seldom ever rolled back, when 20 similarly constructed were later built, they were constructed with a permanent roof.

Street Railway Etiquette in Two Cities

In the St. Louis Post Dispatch one finds an instructive advertisement, filling a whole page and setting forth, to the accompaniment of attractive illustrations, the code of streetcar etiquette that should govern travel in that much favored city, as laid down by the United Railways of St. Louis. It is the unexpected that happens in St. Louis, for, strange to say, the etiquette of transportation there does not govern merely the unhappy passengers and straphangers, but includes likewise important rules which the advertising corporation feels bound to respect. “The first consideration of  a street railway,” says this astonishing advertisement, “should be the safety, comfort and convenience of its passengers.” 

Just think of that, and think what might happen in San Francisco should the United Railroads feel bound by the same rule. Passengers on the Sutter Street line would find themselves switched on to Market Street without transfer and would be delivered from the musty, fusty old horse-cars that constitute the reproach of our main thoroughfare. Apparently the etiquette of street railroading that governs the local corporation, is expressed and limited by the injunction; “If you don't like it, you can get off and walk.” It may be that the policy of the St. Louis company is wiser. It will not pay a public service, corporation, as a general thing to cultivate the hostility of a whole community by wanton outrage! – San Francisco Call, 1908

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

Etiquette And Class Divisions

In early 20th century America, clothes made the man and revealed his social class – “Collarless gentlemen must ride second class.”

Street Car Etiquette 

There are first and second class street cars. Collarless gentlemen must ride second class. Even when wearing a collar, if carrying a burden, one must ride second class. – San Bernardino Sun, 1923

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

A Street Car Etiquette Fail

“Street Car etiquette is developing in so many directions just now, that one must be prepared for anything... It occurred to me that this was probably the very latest development.” 1899 – (Above) A horse drawn street car, from 20 years earlier than this article. By 1899, most street cars were motorized in the US, but few had any heat in them during cold weather, so hay or carpets were put down on the floors to make riders more comfortable, but the drivers continued to have no protection from the elements.

Before Chivalry Died, It Was Obviously Ailing

“An Unexpected Courtesy”

“I was returning home with a small traveling bag in my hands,” says the woman, “and as it chanced to be just at the rush hours and the cars crowded, of course, I did not have a seat. But I was standing beside a gentlemanly young man who had a seat, and who, I soon saw, was also possessed of a kind heart.” ‘Can’t I hold your bag for you?’ he asked, politely, raising his hat. “I own I was a little surprised at first, but Street Car etiquette is developing in so many directions just now, that one must be prepared for anything. For a moment, I hardly knew what to say, and then, as it occurred to me that this was probably the very latest development, and it would not be well to check any one’s courteous inclinations, I thanked the young man, handed him my bag, which he held and sat until I reached my destination, while I stood in front of him.”—New York Times, 1899

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

Delineator's "Lessons in Etiquette"

It could be called tact... If you know a fat girl with a slim sister, always mistake the fat one for the slim one, and vice versa. 

• When a lady gives you her seat in a street car, thank her, but in such a manner that she will not be emboldened to open a conversation with you. 
• Going down the aisle of a theater allow the lady to precede you, unless you are attending the play alone. In that case you go first. 
• When some one calls you by phone and says: "Do you know who is talking?" and you answer that you do not, and the person continues to ask if you don't or can't guess, utter a joyous peal of laughter and say you know it is the sanitarium. Then hang up the receiver. 
• If you are walking along the street, carrying packages in both hands, and meet a lady who speaks to you, hold the packages in your teeth while you lift your hat to her. 
• If you know a fat girl with a slim sister, always mistake the fat one for the slim one, and vice versa. 
• When waltzing with a lady who steps upon your toes, it is nice, if you have a wooden leg, to keep the foot of that leg where she will step upon it oftenest. You can do this unobtrusively with a little practice. — The Delineator, 1910

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

Etiquette for Schoolchildren, 1916

Lay Down Rules of Etiquette for School Children

• Giggling and Talking in Loud Tones on Street Cars Under Ban 

• Girls Can't Wear Jewelry 

• Move on Foot to Better Manners of Students and Raise Standard

Here are the things which Los Angeles school children may not do in the future, according to an etiquette campaign launched today by the P.T.A.:  

• Giggle on the street cars. 
• Talk in loud tones on cars.
• Sit when elder people are standing on cars. 
• Use slang. 
• Wear silk stockings. 
• Wear jewelry or trinkets.  

Los Angeles public school children are to have better manners and a higher standard of etiquette in the future. To accomplish this both the children and their parents are to be educated in courtesy and manners in the homes. 

EDICT OF MOTHERS 

This was the edict of mothers who belong to the council of presidents of the Parent-Teacher Federation, which held its first meeting of the yeaf today at Symphony Hall. The subject of juvenile etiquette was brought up at a round table held under the direction of Mrs. E. H. Noe.  

According to the consensus of opinion expressed at the round table, little school girls giggle and talk too loudly on street cars. Both little girls and boys are too apt to remain seated in the cars when older people are standing. These things are to be campaigned against by the mothers. 

WAR ON SLANG 

A great effort will be made by the 8000 mothers of the P.T.A to stop the use of slang on the part of their children and it is here that father will get his education, according to the mothers. For henceforth, father may not say “darn" if he whacks his thumb with a hammer, because it will give the son of the house a bad example.  

Old fashioned courtesy toward parents and elders will be introduced into Los Angeles homes, according to the P.T.A. plan. Parents will campaign to teach their children courtesy in small maters, such as standing until their parents are seated, and maintaining a polite manner toward each other.  

JEWELRY UNDER BAN 

The question of dress for high school girls was taken up today with the result that mothers will wage war against silk stockings, jewelry and trinkets, and cosmetics. “We want to reach the etiquette and manners of children in school and public through the homes,” Mrs. Noe said today at the round table. "It is the fault of the parents that children of today are noisy, slangy and lax in courtesy.  

But from now on the 8000 mothers of this organization must launch a campaign for their own and other people's children in all these directions.” Dr. Albert Shiels, superintendent of schools, and Mrs. Susan Dorsey, deputy superintendent, addressed the council of presidents.— Los Angeles Herald, 1916

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