HOW TO BEHAVE AT A HOTEL.
In America, where the mania for traveling extends through all classes,
from the highest to the lowest, a few hints upon deportment at a hotel
will not be amiss, and these hints are especially addressed to ladies
traveling alone.
When you arrive at the hotel, enquire at once for the proprietor. Tell
him your name and address, and ask him to conduct you to a good room,
naming the length of time you purpose occupying it. You may also request
him to wait upon you to the table, and allot you a seat. As the hours
for meals, at a large hotel, are very numerous, it is best to mention
the time when you wish to breakfast, dine, or sup. If you stay more than
one day at the hotel, do not tax the proprietor with the duty of
escorting you to the table more than once. Request one of the waiters
always to meet you as you enter, and wait upon you to your seat. This
saves the embarrassment of crossing the room entirely unattended, while
it shows others that you are a resident at the house. The waiter will
then take your order for the dishes you wish. Give this order in a low
tone, and do not harass the man by contradicting yourself several
times; decide what you want before you ask for it, and then give your
order quietly but distinctly. Use, always, the butter-knife, salt-spoon,
and sugar-tongs, though you may be entirely alone in the use of them.
The attention to the small details of table etiquette is one of the
surest marks of good breeding. If any trifling civility is offered by
the gentleman beside you, or opposite to you, thank him civilly, if you
either accept or decline it. Thank the waiter for any extra attention he
may offer.
Remember that a lady-like deportment is always modest and quiet. If you
meet a friend at table, and converse, let it be in a tone of voice
sufficiently loud for him to hear, but not loud enough to reach ears for
which the remarks are not intended. A boisterous, loud voice, loud
laughter, and bold deportment, at a hotel, are sure signs of vulgar
breeding.
When you have finished your meal, cross the room quietly; if you go into
the parlor, do not attract attention by a hasty entrance, or forward
manner, but take the seat you may select, quietly.
The acquaintances made in a hotel may be dropped afterwards, if
desirable, without rudeness, and a pleasant greeting to other ladies
whom you may recognize from meeting them in the entries or at table, is
courteous and well-bred; be careful, however, not to force attentions
where you see they are not agreeably received.
A lady's dress, when alone at a hotel, should be of the most modest
kind. At breakfast let her wear a close, morning dress, and never, even
at supper, appear alone at the table with bare arms or neck. If she
comes in late from the opera or a party, in full dress, she should not
come into the supper-room, unless her escort accompanies her. A
traveling or walking-dress can be worn with perfect propriety, at any
meal at a hotel, as it is usually travelers who are the guests at the
table.
After breakfast, pass an hour or two in the parlor, unless you are going
out, whilst the chambermaid puts your room in order. You should, before
leaving the room, lock your trunk, and be careful not to leave money or
trinkets lying about. When you go out, lock your door, and give the key
to the servant to hand to the clerk of the office, who will give it to
you when you return. You may do this, even if you leave the room in
disorder, as the chambermaids all carry duplicate keys, and can easily
enter your room in your absence to arrange it. The door should not be
left open, as dishonest persons, passing along the entry, could enter
without fear of being questioned.
If you see that another lady, though she may be an entire stranger, is
losing her collar, or needs attention called to any disorder in her
dress, speak to her in a low tone, and offer to assist her in remedying
the difficulty.
Be careful always in opening a door or raising a window in a public
parlor, that you are not incommoding any one else.
Never sit down to the piano uninvited, unless you are alone in the
parlor. Do not take any book you may find in the room away from it.
It is best always to carry writing materials with you, but if this is
not convenient, you can always obtain them at the office.
In a strange city it is best to provide yourself with a small map and
guide book, that you may be able to find your way from the hotel to any
given point, without troubling any one for directions.
If you wish for a carriage, ring, and let the waiter order one for you.
When leaving a hotel, if you have been there for several days, give the
waiter at table, and the chambermaid, a fee, as your unprotected
situation will probably call for many services out of their regular
routine of duties.
On leaving, ring, order your bill, pay it, state the time at which you
wish to leave, and the train you will take to leave the city. Request a
man to be sent, to carry your baggage to the hack; and if you require
your next meal at an unusual hour, to be ready for your journey, order
it then.