to come in when he brings her home from a party or the theater?
A. No, she should never ask him to “come in for a few minutes.” The young man should leave her at the door if the hour is late.
Q. What are some suitable gifts a young man may give a young woman at Christmas?
A. According to the strict rulings of etiquette, unless the young man is engaged to be married to the young woman he should never give her anything but flowers, candy, or books. However, in these modern times it is considered permissible for him to give her moderate-priced jewelry, such as a vanity case, perfume flask for her purse, bracelet, or something similar. She should not accept a gift that has any great value attached to it.
Q. Is it correct for a young woman to go to visit the family of a young man on his invitation?
A. No. The invitation should come from either his mother or his sister.
Q. Should a woman always accept a seat offered her in a street car or bus even when she feels that she is better able to stand than the person offering it?
A. A considerate woman always accepts a proffered seat from a man with a word of thanks. Also, if offered a seat by a young girl she should accept graciously, since an embarrassing situation is created if she hesitates or argues. A woman offering her seat to another must be exceedingly tactful, since this usually signifies deference to an older or infirm person. Occasionally the woman to whom the seat is offered resents the apparent fact that the other feels she is not able to stand.
Q. What is the correct way for a woman to refer to her husband?
A. A woman should never refer to her husband as “Mr.” except to an inferior. If she is speaking to a stranger she should say “my husband,” and to a friend, “Tom thought the play amusing.” The same rule applies to a man’s reference to his wife.
Q. How should a letter to the Ambassador to Great Britain be addressed?
A. The envelope should be addressed, “His Excellency, The American Ambassador, American Embassy, London.” The letter should begin “Your Excellency.” The same form would be used in addressing Ambassadors to other foreign countries.
Q. In writing to the head of a college, should his academic degrees be designated on the envelope?
A. It is not usual nor necessary to affix them to his name on an envelope.
Q. In addressing letters to members of the Supreme Court, what form of salutation should be used?
A. In the case of the Chief Justice, the form should be “My dear Mr. Chief Justice” and in the case of the other judges, “My dear Mr. Associate Justice.”
Q. Is it proper to sign a letter “Your humble servant?”
A. The superscription, “Your humble servant,” is no longer good form. It is an expression that was used many years ago and should now be avoided.
Q. How should a letter be addressed to the Governor of Ohio?
A. On the envelope should be inscribed, His Excellency the Governor, Columbus, Ohio. On the inside the salutation should be Your Excellency.
Q. How should the president of a class be addressed when the person is a young lady?
