PERSONALITY
THE social world is a world of personalities. Each individual has a
value and importance according to the sum total of his
characteristics, physical, mental, and moral. Other and more external
facts enter into his social position, but in the circle of his friends
and acquaintances, in whatever grade of society he may move, his place
is determined by his personality. Personality alone is the final test
of a man's worth to society.
A man's worth to the business world as a doer, maker, or as any other
executive, his worth to the state as an incorruptible official, his
worth to his family as a devoted husband and father, his worth to
literature or art as a thinker or maker,--these values are imprinted
upon his personality, howbeit with almost imperceptible lines.
If a man would present a pleasing personality as his claim for
recognition in society, he must not neglect his mental attitude, his
appearance, his manners, or his speech. They are all true expressions
of his real self, and they, together with his deeds, are all that his
fellow men have by which to appraise his real worth.
Character is the foundation of all true courtesy, for manners are but
minor morals, as many a writer has shown. It is not the part of a book
on etiquette to tell how to keep out of prison, or to explain that one
should be honorable and should do no murder. No book or person,
however, can inculcate etiquette without showing that the roots of all
true courtesy lie deep in the spirit of unselfish consideration for
others. To master this spirit until it becomes one's own is the best
fitting one can have for social achievement. Such consideration is the
touchstone by which all social customs are tried, to see whether they
be worthy of perpetuation or not. It is the sure test of correct
conduct under all circumstances, and can be so utilized in case of
doubt.
A veneer of virtue long passes as currency in no society. It is
necessary to have character in order to be respected. As etiquette is
founded upon certain simple virtues, it is necessary, at least, to
affect the semblance of them. To be long effective they must be
sincere, as a little experience shows.
Among the minor moral virtues which in social life are of major
importance are those of self-control, sincerity, and unselfishness.
There is no place for anger in social life. To give expression among a
group of people to any strong feeling, no matter how justified it may
be, is not courteous, because you may be inadvertently treading upon
the beliefs or prejudices of some of your hearers. There are times
when debate and the taking of sides on questions of common interest
are in order, but that is not usually in the mixed society of men and
women, who are supposedly dropping, for a time, the burdens of life
for the sake of enjoyment and recreation.
Self-control is necessary not only in the constant curbing of anger
and the more violent emotions, but in pushing into the background
one's personal desires in order that one may do one's social duty. A
bridesmaid may have assumed the obligations of that honor, and then
found that, for personal reasons, they were distasteful to her. She
should not, however, permit herself to fail in one iota of her duty.
The always-remembered disappointment of the bride, or bridegroom, if
either bridesmaid or best man should fail, at a time when life should
be as full of happiness as it possibly could, should more than offset
the pain of even difficult control on the part of the chosen friend,
in order to carry out his or her obligations satisfactorily.
In thousands of minor circumstances the need of absolute self-command
for the sake of social virtues is evident. The man and woman who can
so control themselves, and think only of others, win warm places in
the hearts of their friends.
It is a dreary thing to be always sustaining a sham of any sort.
Sincerity has its pleasure as well as its virtue. One should seek to
be sincere, as perhaps no social virtue is of greater importance than
this. The possibilities of development of character and of the
betterment of social customs depend upon the exercise of this virtue.
For that reason it is well to follow carefully the acknowledged rules
of etiquette, in the hope and expectation of growing into the attitude
of mind which will make them a natural expression of one's self.
"The little observances of social life," says Dr. T. L. Nichols in his
book on "Social Life," "are more important than many people think
them. The outward signs or expressions of any sentiment not only
manifest it to others, but help to keep it active in ourselves. This
is the use of all ceremony and ritualism in religion . . . and the same
principle governs all social ceremonies and observances."
Without unselfishness and a fine consideration for others, the art of
etiquette would be impossible. True etiquette learns no maxims to
practise mechanically. Rather, it learns all the maxims upon which it
may have to draw, and practises them only as the considerate heart
sees an opportunity and desires to embrace it.
Personal appearance is next to character in importance. The most
important factors in this, with the average person, are not those that
Nature alone is responsible for, but those that the individual himself
is alone responsible for. Beauty is a pleasant thing, and not to be
despised, although beauty alone is of little worth. The social
conquests of history have not been confined to the possessors of
beauty, and there have been many notable cases where decided plainness
and even ugliness was the lot of one who nevertheless was a person of
great charm.
One's figure and bearing count perhaps for most, as they give the
first and distant impression, and are, as it were, the outlines of the
picture.
Self-consciousness, for any reason and to even the slightest degree,
is a great barrier to social intercourse and to mental freedom. It
shows as often in a person's carriage as in his words or features. It
should be broken down at all costs, and this can be done only by the
person himself. It may be done, usually with comparative ease, by
becoming and staying interested in something. Then awkwardness, and a
defiant attitude of spirit and body, will vanish. Haughtiness is
usually the outward sign of a great inner self-consciousness. All of
these traits, as well as their opposites, stamp themselves upon the
bearing of the body, and reveal there the clearest manifestations of
character.
Dress is almost as essential. By this is not meant a rigid adherence
to fashion,--the stamp of a weak mind,--or even good taste, but an eye
to the appropriate and fitting. First of all, dress should be
subordinated to character, that is, it should be no more costly than
the wearer can afford, and no more striking than modesty and good
taste allow.
Good taste in dress means plain and simple styles, but material as
elegant, serviceable, and pleasing as one's purse permits. It means
also a few things well chosen and kept in good order, rather than many
things more or less untidy; that one's wardrobe will be
harmonious,--not a cheap, shabby garment to-day, and an expensive,
showy one to-morrow. It means also that the wardrobe throughout, not
only the external garments, is equally well chosen and well cared for.
One should not mix one's wardrobe. A coat of one suit and the skirt of
another should not be worn together. A carriage parasol should not be
used on a sunny promenade, nor an umbrella in a carriage, or open
automobile.
It is necessary to wear a dress appropriate to the occasion in order
to be well dressed. No matter how excellent one's costume may be, if
it does not suit the time and place it is absurd and incongruous. Some
of the major rules for appropriate dress are as follows:
Full evening dress demands one's most elaborate gown, made of silk,
satin, velvet, lace, or crêpe-de-chine, as costly as one's purse
permits, with décolleté effects, gained by either actual cut or the
use of lace and chiffon. One should wear delicate shoes, white or
light-colored gloves, and appropriate jewels, of which it is not good
taste to have too lavish a display.
As hostess at an afternoon reception or luncheon one may wear an
elaborate gown of the richest materials, with either long sleeves and
high neck, or elbow sleeves and slightly low neck. As guest one may
wear a walking suit, with pretty blouse, white gloves, and decorative
hat.
The usual dress for a formal breakfast is much the same as for a
luncheon,--a pretty afternoon street costume, with a dainty blouse,
gloves, and "picture" hat, which is not removed. In summer, a gown of
light material, such as organdie, muslin, or other soft goods, dainty
and somewhat elaborate, is in good taste. Hat and gloves are
invariably worn with this gown if the affair is ceremonious.
For church wear, a quiet, rather simple street dress, which does not
proclaim that either money or time has been spent upon it to any
notable extent, is by far the most appropriate. The suit should be
becoming but inconspicuous.
Ball costume is conventionally gay and elaborate, the lightest of
materials being used, especially by those who intend to take part in
the dancing, and a dainty effect being sought. Any costly,
rich-looking materials are used, and a wide range of fashion is
permitted. The gown is cut short-sleeved and décolleté, and the
dancing shoes are of satin or very fine kid. Jewels are worn but
sparingly by young women in their first season in society. The costume
of a débutante at her first ball is usually white.
At an informal dinner, any pretty gown may be worn, with special
attention to the coiffure.
Black should never be worn at a wedding. If one does not care to lay
it aside for the time being, one should not attend.
For men, the proper costume for an early morning breakfast is the
black cutaway coat with gray trousers, and other details as for a
formal breakfast. In summer a gray morning suit with fancy waistcoat,
or white flannels or linen, with appropriate hat, shoes, and tie, is
permissible.
At a formal breakfast men wear frock coats, fancy waistcoats, gray
trousers, patent-leather shoes, large ties, high hats, and gray
gloves.
Afternoon dress for formal functions between noon and evening
consists of a double-breasted black frock coat, or a black cutaway
coat, with either light or dark waistcoat, gray trousers,
patent-leather shoes, light four-in-hand tie, and light gloves.
Evening dress is the correct attire for all occasions after six
o'clock. It consists of a black suit,--coat cut "swallow-tail," and
waistcoat cut low and in the shape of a "U,"--with white lawn tie,
patent-leather pumps, black silk stockings, white gloves, and no
jewelry but shirt studs, cuff links, and an inconspicuous watch fob. A
black overcoat of some stylish cut and a silk hat or crush or opera
hat is also worn.
Full evening dress is a man's costume for a formal dinner. The Tuxedo
or short dinner coat with a black tie is intended only for dinners
where women are not present. Although its use on other occasions is
common, it is not correct, and ill accords with the elaborate gown
which is usually worn at the formal dinner.
One should always have the appearance of being "well-groomed." It is a
minor matter to add to habits of personal cleanliness, which every man
and woman of refinement adheres to with scrupulous conscientiousness,
that attention to the little details and finishing touches of
dressing, which give the impression conveyed in that graphic
expression "well-groomed." The niceties of life are always matters of
small care but great moment.
The aim to be beautiful is a legitimate one, and worthy of the
attention of every lover of beauty. To make the most of one's self,
both for one's own sake and that of those about one, is a duty. Much
can be done if good taste is consulted, and one's salient good points
studied and emphasized. One can at least dress characteristically, and
so bring out the ideals to which one gives adherence.
For instance, the business woman, in business hours, dresses with that
same effort after efficiency and economy of time and strength that she
has to put into her business to make it successful. She is, therefore,
besides being scrupulously neat, perfectly plainly and yet durably and
comfortably dressed. The sudden storm does not catch her unprepared,
for she cannot afford to lose even an hour's work next day because she
"caught cold." She permits no fussing with her garments, therefore
they have to be in perfect working order, as fussing takes time, and
time is money. Her hair is done neatly, and as becomingly as possible,
but securely for the day.
If, on the other hand, the business woman be a milliner, whose own
artistic personality must be her best advertisement, she takes pains
to dress artistically even though she wear less serviceable and more
elaborate costumes. She should, however, give the same impression of
neatness and businesslike serviceableness, with the additional
artistic impression which is going to show her customer that she knows
how to bring out the telling points in her own personality, and create
a charming effect.
The housewife needs, in her choice of morning garments, the same
effectiveness as the business woman, for she must also work with real
efficiency; but, in addition, she needs to give the impression of
homelike abandon, as well as beauty and grace, which shall appear
restful.
The art of correct speech and intelligent conversation is one which
every one who wishes to hold an envied place in society should
possess. There is no more attractive accomplishment. Others have only
a limited use and give only an occasional pleasure, while good
conversation is appropriate to almost any occasion, and amuses and
entertains when all other interests have palled.
If one does not undertake to cultivate the art of conversation, one
should at least be correct in speech. One should not permit slovenly
expressions, or slang, or the thousand and one faults of
mispronunciation and ungrammatical construction into which people
fall, to be characteristic of one's speaking. For if one has time to
go into society, one should have time and money enough to make one's
self presentable mentally as well as physically, and nothing so
clearly shows lack of intelligence and appreciation of the matters of
the intellect, as carelessness and neglect of the words one uses and
the thoughts one utters. No physical defect is more glaring than the
mental defect revealed in every sentence of such a person.
Mannerisms of speech or act are glaring flaws in the personality which
would delight to charm, and successfully preclude the possibility of
popularity among refined people. Many a man and woman of character
have been barred from the pleasurable enjoyment of society, even by
people of less character though of more surface refinement than
themselves, because they lacked the intelligence and the good sense to
abolish certain mannerisms of act or expression, which, though they
may have had normal and logical causes, were not such as society could
enjoy or approve, and would not tend to anything but harm if
characteristic of many people.
Certain rather glaring faults are quite conspicuous among all classes
of women, for reasons which are hard to determine, but which must be
general as the faults are so prevalent. Women, as a rule, do not
respect an appointment and keep it punctually, interrupt conversation
repeatedly and ruthlessly, keep visitors waiting by needless delays,
and do not seem to notice or regret the sacrifice that some courtesy
to them may have caused another.
The arraignment of women for these faults is indeed serious, for
social misdemeanors could not easily be much worse. It means that the
deep heart-feeling of courtesy is quite lacking from certain classes
of women,--classes not to be marked off distinctly from any grade of
wealth or learning. If the ladies of a fashionable and progressive
intellectual club will not, after two or three years of repeated
requests, make it a habit, one and all, to remove their hats during a
dinner and the subsequent speeches in a crowded and level-floored club
dining-room, it is useless to look for any finer courtesy among the
"cultured" than among the work-worn "laboring" classes.
As a rule the women least at fault in these matters are the business
women, a fact which would seem to prove that lack of business and
professional training was in part responsible for the general apathy
and indifference toward these matters of ordinary courtesy.
Courtesy, like honesty, is the best policy in all our dealings with
our fellow men. Therefore, we cannot afford to neglect to exercise it.
Politeness and interest in others alike lead one to make those
inquiries concerning friends and their families which show real
concern in their welfare, and which are exceedingly gratifying to
all. Often this kindly trait alone gives one a reputation for charm,
although it has its disadvantages, to be sure, in its demands upon
one's sympathy and patience.
We each know that we are worth while. We should, therefore, treat
others on that assumption, and thereby make them rise to their
potential worth. The good that a person, who thus calls out the good
within people, may do is limited only by his acquaintance.
Personality is, after all, one's greatest asset in life. No thought or
effort should be spared in making it pleasing and inspiring,--a fit
expression of one's character and ideals, and a worthy gift to the
world.