Club life in all large cities is becoming so important a factor of social life that no book on etiquette would be complete without some notice of its varied features.
The membership of the smaller social clubs is chosen solely for the purpose of social enjoyment, and they frequently blackball names that are brought up for membership simply from the standpoint of some member to whom the one proposed may not be personally agreeable. If an applicant is blackballed once, his friends should not persist in introducing his name again.
In the larger clubs, where the members are never all thrown together at any one time, no one should blackball a name from a personal standpoint.
If any one, however, is aware of some blemish in the character of the candidate for admission, he has good grounds for objection.
Observing the Rules.
A new member of a club should at once acquaint himself with the rules and regulations that govern the organization and govern himself accordingly. The courtesy that obtains in the home is to be observed in the club-rooms.
Opinions of others should be respected, and exciting discussions, or disturbing topics of conversation, are to be avoided there, as they should be in the home circle. Remember that every one has the same right to his preconceived opinions as you have to yours.
Treat all books, papers and other club property with due care. Never take any article away from the club-house. Never monopolize any one article to the exclusion of others.