BACHELORS' THEATRE PARTY. See THEATRE AND OPERA
PARTIES GIVEN BY MEN.
BADGES—BALLS (PUBLIC). It is customary for men and women on the committees to wear on the left side of the breast ornamental badges, embroidered with the official position of the wearer.
BAGGAGE. If a man is traveling with a woman, he
should see to the checking and care of her
baggage.
See also TRAVELING.
WEDDING TRIP. The best man should, some
time before the wedding, see that the baggage
of the bridal couple has been checked, and
the checks given to the groom.
See also BEST MAN.
BALLS. A ball is an evening function, beginning at a late hour, devoted wholly to dancing. The costumes are more elaborate, the supper arrangements more extensive, and the floral decorations more lavish than at a dance.
ACCEPTING INVITATION TO DANCE. While a young woman may accept or decline any invitation to dance, it is considered an act of discourtesy to refuse one man for a dance and to accept an invitation thereafter for the same dance from another.
ANNOUNCING GUESTS. The hostess decides
whether or not the guests are to be announced.
At public balls it is customary.
ANSWERING INVITATIONS. These should be answered
immediately, and if declined, the
ticket should be returned.
ARRIVING AT. There is no set rule when guests
should arrive.
In the city, guests should arrive anywhere between eleven and twelve, and in the country, fifteen minutes after the hour set in the invitation.