than after. So, one shows great care
in offering introductions to others, and exercises the same care for
one's self.

If a hostess and her guest are out walking together, the hostess would
introduce to her guest every friend who happened to stop and speak
with her, and the guest, should she meet acquaintances of her own,
would introduce each of them to her hostess. This is practically the
only case where indiscriminate introducing is good form, and here the
obligations of hospitality safeguard it.

A lady usually offers her hand to a gentleman who has been introduced
to her, but a bow, a smile, and a repetition of the name are all that
is necessary where several introductions are being made, as at a
large reception or dancing party.

A gentleman always offers his hand to another gentleman on being
introduced.

An elderly lady may offer her hand in all introductions with perfect
propriety.

If, while walking out with a friend, you meet another, do not
introduce the two. A transient meeting is of no particular moment to
them, and their friendship or acquaintance with you is not necessarily
of strong enough interest to make them desire acquaintance. If,
however, you meet at some public place, and are detained there
together for several minutes, then the introduction should be given.

When meeting at the house of a mutual acquaintance, friends may
introduce friends, but it is preferable to leave the introductions to
the hostess.

It is no longer necessary to introduce each guest to everybody else at
a party. Introductions are made as opportunity or necessity may
dictate. This abolishing of promiscuous and wholesale introductions
relieves two very embarrassing situations,--that of being introduced
by announcement to a whole roomful of people, and that of being taken
around and introduced to them singly.

A mother may present her son, or a sister her brother, or a wife her
husband, if she so desires, without any question as to the propriety
of it. A man should not, on the other hand, introduce another man to
his wife, or a son or brother make a presentation of a man to his
mother or sister, unless he knows that such acquaintance could not but
be agreeable to the lady, and unless it meets with his own approval.
For it is a man's place always to safeguard a woman against
undesirable acquaintances.

A woman, in introducing her husband, gives him his title, if he has
one, as "Judge Hartwell," "Doctor Foley." The wi