EVERYDAY ETIQUETTE ABOUT ENGAGEMENTS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6613, 18 May 1928, Page 11

EVERYDAY ETIQUETTE ABOUT ENGAGEMENTS

When you first become engaged don't hurry round announcing your engagement to the world in general the moment it takes place. Your parents and those of your fiance, of course, should be told at once. T|ie once rigid rule of consulting father first is very seldom observed in these days, but the young man should at least consult him second. The young man's family should write at once to his fiance, or call on her whenever possible, welcoming her into the family circle. Neither the girl, nor her mother, should take a first step in this matter. A girl should never visit her fiance’s people on his invitation alone. No matter how strongly he urges that “she'll just love to have you,” wait for his mother to send a definite written invitation.

When letters of congratulation begin to come in they must bo answered at once. Such answers arc primarily to send thanks and need not be long. When your brother or son, or other very near relative becomes engaged, t don’t congratulate the girl, even though in your heart you think how lucky she is to have won John for a husband; just offer your best wishes for her, happiness and let her feel in your note of your, remarks a genuine welcome into your homo circle.

As. a general rule it is considered somewhat tactless to .congratulate a girl on her engagement. The young man, it is understood/ is the one to bo congratulated. So it is. better to write: “Let me wish you every possible happiness ’’ than to say “Let mo congratulate you on your engagement.”

If the voting man docs not already know the girl’s preference in the matter of stones for the engagement ring, lie should certainly find out what it is before buying such an important thine.