SOCIAL PECCADILLOES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 726, 27 July 1929, Page 25

SOCIAL PECCADILLOES

We all commit them! Kvcn peo pl d who pride themselves on their Rood manners are often guilty of the "iittld sins." The woman who does not immedi. ately write a letter of sympathy otj hearing of a friend's death; a letteij of thanks to people who have enter, tained her; a letter of apology for $ broken engagement—this woman 1$ rude, but she errs through thoughtlessness rather than through lack ofl breeding. There are, however, other breached of good manners which are inexcusable. Mrs. X. will talk to you about Mr. X. She never calls him "my; husband,” although she speaks of "ray brother" or "my son" when discussing some other masculino relative. The Misses O. will insist that you take something from every plate oa the table. Perhaps they will e.ea force you to take a second helping though you protest that you have at ready had sufficient. Lydia will not say good-bye—ajid go! Talking ‘shop" is unpardonable a{ a social gathering. Yet how many women who are interested chiefly id clothes will discuss nothing bufc dress? Those with a passion toy some hobby or other will insist od talking about it to the bitter end. The sport3-mad girl finds no othell topic of conversation. All are ex* amples of the way in which sheer bad form can spoil any party. Fanny Eurney, in her novel. “Evw lina,” describes very graphically tha pain ill-breeding gives to a sensitive mind. A true woman is never vulgar. She puts you at your ease; shd is interested in your affairs, and not eternally talking about her own homa and children. She does not lavishly praise her friends to their faces, sha does not gush—and she knows whott enough has been said. MARGARET K. MORTIMER.