STREET ETIQUETTE.
A man offers his right arm, if either, to a woman on the street (also in the house), that she may have her right hand free for holding her parasol or guiding her train. Both common sense and gallantry assign the woman’s place where it is for her greatest convenience, and that is, undeniably, on the right of the man.
The rule for giving the left arm was held good in those days when it was necessary for men to pass to the left, thus keeping the sword-arm free for self-protection or for the protection of the women, but now the passing is all to the right.
In walking with a woman a man chooses the outer side without any regard as to its being either the right or the left. In walking with two women he chooses the outer side also, and never walks between them.
A man walking with a woman returns a bow made to her, lifting his hat, although the one bowing is a stranger to him.
Ladies do not talk or call across the street.
Men should not smoke when driving or walking with women, nor on promenades much frequented, where they cannot remove the cigar from the mouth whenever meeting a woman.
One should never stare at another.
A man when meeting a woman who is walking and with whom he wishes to converse, does not allow her to stand while talking, but turns and walks with her.
A man cannot refuse to return the bow of any respectable woman. If he does not wish to recognize her he must avoid her.
It is much less rude for women to return a recognition coldly, and upon the next occasion to turn away or to avoid a meeting, than to give a “cut direct.”
A man precedes a woman in passing through a crowd; but women precede men under ordinary circumstances.
It is not proper for a young girl to walk alone with a young man after dark, unless she is engaged to him or he is a near relative of hers. A young woman should meet a young man with whom she has only a slight acquaintance under her father’s or a proper guardian’s roof. When he has become well acquainted with her and her family or friends, she may take occasional walks with him alone in the afternoon, but never in the evening.
When two women meet in a door-way, the younger gives precedence to the elder.
A man does not first offer to shake hands with a woman unless he is very well acquainted with her.
When it becomes necessary for one to address a man or woman whose name one does not know, it should be as “Sir” or “Madam.”
It is very bad taste for young women to eat candy during a theatrical performance, or, indeed, in any public place.