woman she remains seated if she prefers to do so. Some women regard it as more cordial to rise in this situation. If the man who is introduced is elderly, a young woman rises when he is presented.
Q. What is the correct form of introduction?
A. “Mrs. Smith, may I present Mr. John?” is one of the usual forms of introduction. A briefer form commonly used is, “Mrs. Jones, Mr. Black.” By accentuating the more important person’s name, it can be made as clear as though the words, “May I present” had been used. Never say, “Miss Jones meet Mr. Smith.”
Q. What should one say upon being introduced?
A. The simplest and always correct thing to say is, “How do you do!” “I am very glad to meet you,” or “I am delighted to meet you” may also be used. Never say, “Pleased to meet you.”
CARDS
Q. When is the double calling card used?
A. The “Mr.” or “Mrs.” cards are used for personal calls, the “Mr. and Mrs.” being used when sending flowers or gifts, or when declining a formal invitation.
Q. What do the letters P. P. C. mean when they appear on a visiting card?
A. The initials “P. P. C.” are an abbreviation of the French expression Pour prendre conge, meaning “To take leave.” It is used when making last-day visits before one starts on a long trip to some distant place. These letters are written in pencil or ink in one corner of an ordinary visiting card. Cards so inscribed are posted to, or left with, all friends and acquaintances, a day or two before starting on the voyage. No acknowledgment is necessary.
Q. Is the prefix “Mr.” ever omitted from a man’s calling card?
A. The prefix “Mr.” is omitted from a man’s business card, but never from his social calling card. The addition of “Sr.” or “Jr.” does not change this rule.
Q. Does a widow continue to use her husband’s name on her visiting cards?
A. In society a widow never uses her own name on her cards. She uses her husband’s name, for instance: “Mrs. William Greene Smith,” and not “Mrs. Mary Jane Smith.”
Q. Does a divorcee continue to use her husband’s name?
A. She uses her maiden name with her married surname. If her name was Elizabeth Jones and her married name is Green, her card should read “Mrs. Jones-Green.” If she prefers she may use her given name also, as “Mrs. Elizabeth Jones-Green.”
Q. Does an army officer have his title or rank on his visiting card?
A. The visiting card of a lieutenant should read as follows:
Mr. John William Smith
Lieutenant, United States Army.
There is no ironclad rule as to the position of “Lieutenant, United States Army,” but usually it is in the lower left-hand corner.
An officer of any rank above Lieutenant uses his title on his calling card in the following fashion:
Captain Baldwin Morrison Capen
United States Army.
Q. Is there any significance attached
