Never put salt on the cloth.
To attempt to assist the waitress by gathering together the articles before you, is a mistake. Leave that to her, and appear unconscious of her presence while she is so engaged.
To hand a dish across the table is distinctly bad form. This habit has been designated as “the boarding house reach.”
CHAPTER XXIII
IN THE HOME
“AS a man thinketh in his heart, so is he,” declares the Book of books. And as a man is in his home, so will he be abroad, when the “company manner” rubs off.
One frequently becomes involved in some quite unexpected circumstance that scratches off the beautiful surface-coloring, if it be only as deep as the hue on the stained wood.
ADJUSTABLE COURTESY
The manner that one puts on when one goes into a friend’s house, or dons when one is “in company,” is what may be called “adjustable courtesy.” If it is not made of the best material it seldom fits well.