UNKNOWN

Hastings Standard, Volume XIII, Issue 4204, 10 July 1909, Page 4 (Supplement)

UNKNOWN

A SECRET OF l^hjLAItlTY

The woman who l|elieves that the secret of popularity lies in the ability to talk brilliantly makes a mistake. Tbe mystery of popularity is due to the skill in making others talk more tbau in talking yourself. 1 have heard many a man exclaim over a young woman whom he has just | met and had a few minutes' conversation with, *1 liked that girl. She was all right," when "that girl" had wisely listened graciously while the man told her all about himself. I have e*en girls struggle along wondering why they ware not universally liked until it suddnnly occurred to them tostop stalking, to stop making witty speeches, and listen to the commonplaces of others Then found a struggle no longer necessary and were voted tl charmiilg. n ' DECIDED OPINIONS ARE FATAL. TTie majority of men would rather talk brilliantly themselves than listen to the brilliant conversation of a woman. A man will ponn run away from a woman whose intellect he cannot help but admire and devote himself to that woman who hangs on his words, and acts a little bit like a worshipper. Middle-aged women will pronounce a young woman as "delightful'' when she flatters them by asking for advice, listens to their remarks about "when I was a girl," and only throws in a word occasionally. Decided "opinions, or rather the expression of decided opinions, is fatal to popularity. If a young woman has verv pronounced ideas about anything nnder the sun let her keep them to herself. She may shape her life according to her views, but let her beware of an expression of them. A woman is much more loved if she- expresses sympathy with the ideas of others than if she exploits what she thinks herself. TALKED POTTERY BY THE HOUR. A man is far more like-y to be bv a woman who will lend him her ear than by the one who nse> her tongue too fluently. I was taking the rest-cure at n Continental spa. A millionaire arrived daring my recond week, and I was amused at watching the made at him by +he feminine circle. To cur general amazement lie eventually proposed to the plainest girl there, one whim we should lnve supposed to have been the tot last with any chance of captivating h'm. Something <ho said to mo (hi confidence"* Just before the weddinc threw a good deal of light on the matter. "I have onlv one gift," sh" =a'd. "T am a good listener. I soo-n discovered that was only one cubWt he wa~ interested in ho talk abent— ancient nott'-rv. The otherc wou'dn't let him l»~re tery to me bv the hour, and I never I«*t h m +hat it didn't interest me in the Vast."' That ws the key to one nnn-'nje a* least. Tlio r,-<ir man had a hohhv. and ho wnrWo'l looking for a ]i<+ PT) _ er. Wh°n Tio f<v>Tld OTV» 110 rnirriod h r r.