Q. How should guests at a theater party of four or more persons be seated? Who arranges the seating and when?
A. The hostess should have the seating arrangement in mind, and suggest it to her guests as they take their seats. If they file into a row of seats she may say, “Mr. Blank, you will go first? And Mrs. Thus? And Mr. So?” She will take her own place in turn and probably the host will come last.
In parties of four persons, two men and two women, the men ordinarily occupy the outside seats, with the women between them, the hostess next to the male guest, the woman guest next to the host. If the seats are toward the side of the theater, where there is a preference as to view, the host may go in first, thus taking the least attractive seat. Every effort should be made to engage seats early so that they will all be well placed.
In parties of more than four, if there is a guest of honor, he or she would be seated next the hostess or host. Others should be placed with regard to the fact that conversation betwen acts is more or less limited to one’s next neighbor, and congenial persons should be placed together. Such parties often “pair off” naturally, but the hostess will do well to have a seating plan in mind and not trust to luck. Upon reaching the seats there is always a moment of hesitation, at which time her suggestions will be accepted naturally and gracefully. Host and hostess should not be together, but placed most effectively to help make and keep the guests at ease.
Q. Should the hostess at a theater party provide transportation for the guests?
A. If going by street car, the host should pay all the fares. After the performance, if there is no supper or dance, the hostess should make sure that every woman guest has a proper escort to her home. If going by auto and one’s guests include friends who have extra space in their cars, it is perfectly permissible to suggest that these guests take others in their cars. Arrangements for taking each guest home should be assured.
AT THE MOVIES
Q. Are the first comers at a motion picture theater entitled to aisle seats?
A. If the seats are not reserved, first comers are entitled to take their choice of vacant seats. As a matter of courtesy they should take seats where it will not be necessary for later arrivals to pass in front of them.
Q. Are there any rules of etiquette about the time of arrival or departure at motion picture theaters?
A. The exact time of starting feature films may be learned from the newspapers or by phone from the theater, and arrival may be timed accordingly. Many theaters will not seat patrons during the showing of a picture. Departure should be at the close of a picture. The other patrons are entitled to the courtesy of an uninterrupted view of the picture.
Q. Is talking permitted at a motion picture?
A. No more than at the spoken drama. Above all do not read the title aloud, nor converse with a companion about “how it comes out.” These actions often completely spoil the entertainment for others. Humming the tunes as the orchestra plays is another bad habit sometimes carelessly indulged in.
Q. Is applause permitted at motion pictures?
A. Yes. Natural applause adds to the
