THE GOOD HOSTESS.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12427, 21 August 1933, Page 3

THE GOOD HOSTESS.

How is it a visit to some homes is a delight; t<p others it is more of a duty ? It is usually because of the hostess. It is her personality tiiat makes the visit a pleasure. She does not require great gifts nor a fine room. A group ot women meeting for afternoon tea in an expensively and beautifully furbished home may not enjoy it half as much as an afternoon tea party in a humbler home if that home boasts a happy woman at the head of it. The hostess does not require to be a fine conversationalist—in fact, the really successful hostess is often more of" a good listener than a good speaker—but she must be prepared to take trouble and see that her guests enjoy the afternoon. If they are all very old friends her task is simpler; if there are some strangers who are perhaps making their first call her task is more difficult. But whether she knows them well or is just meeting them for the first time she must guide the conversation. If she has five or six visitors the natural thing is for them to talk in groups; she must see that they do not stay in the same groups all the afternoon. A visitor may be very anxious to talk to another, but unless she knows 'her well it is difficult for her to make the move; the hostess can either move round herself to the group, or she can suggest a change. She can do that quite simply and naturally. It is really better for a party to talk in groups than to have just one spokeswoman while the rest listen or feel called upon to make comment. But it is restful if now and again the hostess cau direct -conversation so that only one person is talking at a time, for the sound of too many in the one room becomes tiring. Xaturally the hostess sees that prickly subjects are avoided. It often happens that some one subject may cause ■embarrassment to a visitor; if the hostess knows of this slie can see that conversation keeps away from that topic, but should she notice that some member has unwittingly hurt another by a remark in whifck. no offence at all was meant—and this can happen, as every woman knows—then the hostess is put to the test, for she must cover up that embarrassment. This may sound difficult, but if the hostess will but be natural—so often hostesses show signs of nervousness, and that quickly puts their guests ill at ease—talk simply, show an obvious ideasure in having her guests, be a good listener, and remember that for that afternoon success depends upon her, then her party is bound to give pleasure.