EATING IN PUBLIC PLACES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XV, Issue XVI, 19 October 1895, Page 500

EATING IN PUBLIC PLACES.

* I never could understand,’ said a yonng lady who had been about the world a good deal, as she walked down the street after taking luncheon in a fashionable restaurant, • why some people who are supposed to be really well bred, have such abominable manners when they take their meals in public places. I have frequently noticed the outrageous things that some of these persons do, and couldn’t help wondering what a thin veneer of politeness they must wear when they are on their good behavionr. I went out to luncheon with a lady the other day, and while we were waiting to be served, entertained myself—as I often do—by noting the manners of the different persons in the room. It was exclusively a ladies’ lunch room, and was frequented by persons supposed to be at least of fair intelligence and breeding. * I'wo ladies sat with both elbows on the table and their chin resting in their hands. Another, a rather pretty well - dressed young woman, broke the entire crust from a slice of bread, put one end of it in her mouth and deliberately chewed on it, in the same fashion that a man chews on the end of his cigar, except that she gradually consumed the crust and drew it into her mouth without, however, touching it at all with her fingers. It is said that the manners of men in eating-houses where only men are served are not at all what they are expected to be either in their own homes or those of their friends, and it seems that the manners of young women are but little better.

•It might be well to impress on the minds of young persons that it is just as easy to make good table manners second nature, as to indulge in all sorts of disagreeable and ill-bred habits. Indeed, the youngster who never has any company manners, but is polite and well-bred under all circumstances, is a very comfortable and agreeable sight. It is very easy to tell from the manners of men and women, when they are away from home and suppose themselves among strangers, just what their early training has been and what their home manners ordinarily are. Of all the weaknesses of human nature, there is nothing more worthy of censure than the habitof whatwe call “company manners.” ’