2003mar18. Excerpt from The Book of Etiquette & Manners (1961) by Carolyn Coggins.
Chapter 8: Your Social Life.“Oooh, can I get that for you, Mrs. Weintraub?”
WHEN CHILDREN MUST BE PRESENTWhen children must be present at adult parties, it is sometimes quite a problem to mother ... if it is possible to allow children to participate ... they are less trouble to look after.
To this end, it may be worthwhile to show children how to pass nuts or mints or cigarettes or canapés. As they grow older they are able to light cigarettes for ladies (if they are small boys) which is a polite gesture they enjoy and are proud to accomplish safely – as they must be taught how to do. Children who clear the room of glasses and ashtrays ... returning the ashtrays clean and tidy while parents and guests are at the dinner table ... are a joy rather than a problem.