ETIQUETTE OF THE AFTERNOON CALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7434, 21 June 1902, Page 3

ETIQUETTE OF THE AFTERNOON CALL.

A first call should never exceed ten .or fifteen minutes at the outside. Nothing could be in worse taste than a visit, and especially a first visit, that lingers on and on, the visitor seeming apparently unable to make up her mind as to when she ought to take her departure. When first entering the drawing-room a visitor should haye eyes only for her hostess. No matter how many of your own personal friends may be present, your hostess must be the first consideration, and not only at the commencement of your call but throughout the whole of your stay. But while showing plainly that it is the hostess, and not y our own personal friends, that you have- come to see, you must be careful not to engross too much of the hostess's time^but to make yourself agreeable to any of the other gueßts who happen to be seated near you. Never look bored even if the visitor seated next to you does happen to be dull and uninteresting ; don't let the fact that you think her so appear in your face. Honesty is all very well, but honesty and kind-heartedness must run hand in hand, otherwise our whole social system would fall to the ground. Be pleasant to everyone, even if it does cost you a little efforts you will find yourself amply repaid,, and, besides, it is only common courtesy to your hostess. And, on the other hand, if you happen to find yourself next to one of your own personal friends, don't let that friend so engross your attention as to make you oblivious of your duty to your hostess. At the conclusion of your visit be care-, ! ful to choose the right moment in which 'to say good-bye. Then, having shaken ! hands with the hostess, don't hesitate or stop a moment to speak to the other guests before taking your departure. If you do, everyone in the room will feel uncomfgrt- | able, your hostess most of all. The visitor who never seems able to ta^ 6 her departure gracefully, but who lingers on after having said good-bye, is perhaps the greatest trial that the average hostess has to endure. Although it may, perhaps, read very strangely, and seem almost impossible, a visitor should never turn her back on her hostess, but should walk out of the room with her face and body half-turned, and so out of the door. Try it t and you will ccc that it is quite possible, although, perhaps, just a little difficult at first. At nearly all Parisian schools the pupils are taught, when quite tiny, the correct way both to enter and leave the room. After a little practice the correct way becomes' so natural to them that they would never dream of making a mistake.