Part 7

3) If you wish to become a musician, you seek help from the finest musical instructor within reach. Just so in the greater art of living effectively, seek help from those who have learned wisdom. As a rule, your parents and your teachers are your best counsellors. They have traveled the road before you, and have your highest interests at heart. Listen to them. Don't make your life a wild experiment in blundering; it doesn't pay.

4) Never regard age, even advanced age, as a joke. To do so blunts your own sensibilities.

INVITATIONS

That man may last, but never lives, Who much receives, but nothing gives.

--Gibbons.

1) If you receive a written invitation, send a written reply. Let the reply accord with the invitation in being either formal, or informal.

2) You will be thought discourteous if you fold your note carelessly, write on soiled or ragged paper, use pencil instead of ink, or delay your reply.

3) Accepting an invitation binds you, in honor, to carry out your engagement. If circumstances prevent, at once inform the one who invited you; and do it in a considerate manner.

INTRODUCTIONS

Introduce a man to a woman, a boy to a girl, a younger person to an older, thus: Mrs. Jones, may I present (or introduce) my friend Miss Holbrook? or, Miss Brown, my friend Mr. Williams; or, Father, this is Ethel Reed. Let your manner and voice be dignified and gracious, your words simple. But avoid,--Mrs. Jones, meet Miss Holbrook; or, Mr. Brown, shake hands with Mr. Smith.

DANCING REQUIREMENTS

Come and trip it as ye go On the light fantastic toe.

--Milton.

The National Association of Dancing Masters is responsible for the following rules. You may well think those dancers who disregard them either ignorant, or awkward, or vulgar.

1) Face your partner at a distance of six or eight inches, bodies parallel, shoulders parallel.

2) If you are leading, place your right hand between the shoulders of your partner, keeping your right elbow well away from your body.

3) See that above, but not resting on this arm, is your partner's left arm, at right angles with her body, her hand just back of the curve of your shoulder.

4) Let your left hand, palm up, clasp your partner's right. A line from these hands to the opposite elbows should be parallel with your parallel bodies.

5) Remember,--bobbing and wriggling are taboo. Let the spring come from the ankles and the knees. Imitate the grace of the swallow.

REFRESHMENTS AT PARTIES

Socrates said, "Bad men live that they may eat and drink, whereas good men eat and drink that they may live."

--Plutarch.

1) Keep your refreshments simple and inexpensive. After you are better acquainted, omit them frequently.

2) Boys, you should be alert to help serve, but use your judgment; don't go off in a group to enjoy yourselves in the business of serving or eating.

3) Avoid dropping crumbs on the floor or scattering them over the serving tables. Avoid placing anything hot or moist on a surface that may be disfigured by it.

4) Pay special attention to any who seem shy or afraid to mingle with the other guests. See that everybody has a good time.

5) Help clean up at once, boys, what should be cleaned up, and leave the room you use in perfect order. Don't walk off and let the girls do it all. Make yourselves useful until the work is finished.

TABLE MANNERS