CORRESPONDENCE HINTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19676, 30 June 1927, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE HINTS.

Formal invitations in the third person should always be answered briefly, and in the third person also, except when they are from quite intimate friends, when a little personal note of acceptance or refusal is better. Informal invitations, on the other hand, must be replied to with equal informality. Stationery of the best quality of its kind should be used for private correspondence. It is not very good taste to use that of too conspicuous tint and size, but the woman of individuality likes to make her own a special notepaper of some distinctive shade and character. There is much variation and room for personal preference nowadays in the manner in which the address, etc., appear at the top of the sheet. A modern note is to have it reproduced in one's own handwriting. Letters ought always to he plainly dated, not just with the day of week, but the month and year. This is particularly important where business correspondence is concerned. The woman with many business interests should keep special business-like notepaper for this branch of her correspondence. A subtle fragrance clinging to the sheets and envelope reminiscent of the sweet essence we generally use, may be very fascinating, but a letter which gives forth a cheap, strong scent is not a good advertisement of the fastidious tastes of the sender. A stamped and addressed envelope ought to be enclosed in a letter to a complete stranger from whom a reply to some query is desired.