STREET FLIRTATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7002, 26 April 1884, Page 4 (Supplement)

STREET FLIRTATION.

So much has recently been written in condemnation of the "masher," that a few words on the other side of the question will not be amiss. While not designing to present the.masher as a saint, we would suggest that the burden of street flirtation be placed on the shoulders of thoEe who justly should bear it. • Brazen as the male street flirt appears, he would not often speak to a woman who offers him no encouragement. It I wonld be poor sort of fun for him to invite attention all day long if his invitation met with no response. It is manifest that the girls are to blame for his presence upon the streets. Let them lay aside their dashing boldness of manner, which they often foolishly imagine denotes independence, but which is as dangerous as it is unseemly. Such a demeanour' provokes remarks from men and women which would make the ears of the average maiden tingle with indignation could she but hear them. There is no doubt that many girls are lacking in that modesty which would entitle them to consideration. With these the street flirtation, frequently resulting in acquaintance, is a great frolic; but these very, girls would soon assume a manner not in accord with their character could they see themselves as others see them. Very few girls wish to be considered fast, yet they can, by a certain recklessness of conduct while in public places, easily earn the appellation. They may not be guilty of any crime, but they will as certainly lose the respect of every one whose respect ia worth having as though they were. This particularly applies to women who have reached or passed bejond the age of 20. What may be readily overlooked in the school-girl of 15 will not be forgiven in her sister of maturer years. In no other conntry are unmarried women allowed so much freedom as in our own. In view of the disastrous results of this cnstom it would seem to be the part of wisdom to adopt the Old World fashion of chaperons. If, however, the girls and young women can be made to understand the use of liberty and will conduat themselves accordingly, the masher's avocation will be gone and he will gradually disappear from the public places.