MEN. The old custom of a man giving up his
seat in a street-car to a woman is being gradually
done away with. This is due largely
to the fact that women are now so extensively
engaged in commercial business that
they are constant riders at the busy hours,
end thus come into direct competition with
men.
A well-bred man, however, will show his
manliness by giving any woman his seat and
standing himself, as she is less fitted for such
hardships and annoyances. A man should
always give his seat to an elderly woman,
one accompanied with children, or one apparently
weak and sickly. In giving his seat
to a woman, a man should politely bow and
raise his hat.
It is good form for a man to assist a woman
getting on or off a car. If a man is accompanied
by a woman when she leaves the car,
he should help her off the car.
A man should always be polite and courteous
toward a conductor, as the latter's
position is a hard and trying one.
A man should never cross his legs or keep
his feet extended in the passageway.
If a man finds it necessary to crowd into a
car already full, he should do so with consideration
and politeness, and with an apology
for pressing against any one. It is better to
stand than to crowd yourself into a small
space between those who are seated.
EXPENSES. A man traveling with another man
can pay the latter's fare if he wishes. But
if he is accompanied by a woman he should
pay her fare. If he is in the car, and other
acquaintances, men or women, enter, they
should pay their own fares.
WOMEN. A woman should not look with a
pained and injured air at the men passengers
because no one of them has offered her a seat.
The great influx of women into the commercial
world, and their being thrown into direct
competition with men, has largely done away
with the fine old custom of men giving up
their seats to women. The impoliteness of
many women in accepting a seat as a matter
of right and not of courtesy, and perhaps
without a "Thank you," has helped largely
to bring about the present state of affairs.
No woman of ordinary good manners should
fail to express her thanks for the courtesy
proffered. If a woman is offered a seat she
should accept it at once-without urging.
A man may assist a woman in getting off
a car. If a woman is accompanied by a man
and she leaves the car, he should assist her
to alight.
A woman should wait till a car absolutely
stops before she gets on or off, and she
should face the front when leaving the car.
If possible, a woman should have her car-fare
handy or easy of access-preferably in
her hand-before entering the car if it is
crowded. A woman should avoid crowding
into a small space between others, and it is
better for her to stand than to occupy barely
the edge of a seat. If it is absolutely necessary
for her to enter a crowded car, she
should do so with an apology to those whom
she may crowd.
CONDUCTOR. A conductor occupies a difficult
and trying position, and will always appreciate
any courtesy shown him by a woman.
If a woman desires a transfer, she should let
him know in ample time; if she wants any information
from him, she should ask him when
paying her fare, and should indicate her desire
to leave the car at least a block ahead of
her street. A woman should not trust to a
conductor to remember her street, even if she
has asked him, but should look out for the
street herself.
EXPENSES. If a woman is in a car and a man
joins her, and the fare is not yet collected, she
should pay her own fare. But if she is traveling
with an escort she should not offer to
pay her fare, as her escort pays the expenses.