to turning down the corner of a visiting card?
A. Turning down a corner of a visiting card is by many intended to convey that the visit is Meant for all the ladies in the family. Others mean merely to show that the card was left in person. Still others turn it down from force of habit and mean nothing.
Q. When paying a call or attending a tea should a card be left for each feminine member of the family?
A. If there is a mother and a daughter, two cards should be left. If there is a mother and two daughters, or a hostess and two guests three cards should be left. Never more than three are left even though there is a mother and several daughters, as well as a guest.
Q. What is the correct size for visiting cards?
A. The card of a woman is usually from 2¾ to 3½ inches wide, by 2 to 2¾ inches deep, but there is no fixed rule. The card of a young girl is smaller and more nearly square in shape. It is usually about 2 inches deep by 2½ or 2⅝ inches long, depending upon the length of the name. A man’s card is long and narrow, fom 2⅞ to 3¼ inches long, and from 1¼ to 1⅝ inches deep.
Q. When making calls where should cards be left?
A. If a servant opens the door, he will doubtless have in his hand a card tray upon which the caller places his cards. In case a guest is received at the door by a member of the family, the caller places the cards on a table in the hall or drawing room.
Q. Will you please tell me whether or not it is good form to have “Miss” before one’s name in calling cards?
A. It is not only correct to use the title, “Miss,” on a visiting card by an unmarried woman, but the omission of the title is a social error.
Q. Does a woman, calling upon a married woman, leave a visiting card for the hostess’ husband?
A. She never leaves cards for the masculine members of a household upon which she calls.
CALLS
Q. Is it proper to telephone before calling?
A. Yes, on intimate friends whom a woman especially wants to see. A man usually telephones before calling, since a man pays very few courtesy calls and usually calls only when he wishes to see his hostess. In ’phoning to learn whether a woman is at home it is permissible to give the message to a servant, if one answers the phone, as this saves interrupting the woman who may have callers at the time, and the servant can return with the desired information.
Q. Does a phone message ever take the place of a call?
A. No, unless one is ill and wishes to apologize for not calling. Even then the call is still owing when one recovers.
Q. Should one apologize for staying longer than one intended when calling?
A. No. Remarks such as “I must be going,” or “I really didn’t mean to stay so long,” and the like are frequently possible of misinterpretation. Do not talk about leaving and then remain because your hostess says “Oh, don’t go.” Above all do not linger talking after you have risen to leave. Go promptly, and if you have some last minute thoughts, save them for another day. It is bad form to keep your hostess standing while you delay your leave taking.
