On very informal occasions, it is the present fashion to greet an intimate friend with “Hello!” This seemingly vulgar salutation is made acceptable by the tone in which it is said.  To shout “Hul_low_!” is vulgar, but “Hello, Mary” or “How ’do John,” each spoken in an ordinary tone of voice, sound much the same.  But remember that the “Hello” is spoken, not called out, and never used except between intimate friends who call each other by the first name.

There are only two forms of farewell:  “Good-by” and “Good night.”  Never say “Au revoir” unless you have been talking French, or are speaking to a French person.  Never interlard your conversation with foreign words or phrases when you can possibly translate them into English; and the occasions when our mother tongue will not serve are extremely rare.

Very often in place of the over-worn “How do you do,” perhaps more often than not, people skip the words of actual greeting and plunge instead into conversation:  “Why, Mary!  When did you get back?” or “What is the news with you?” or “What have you been doing lately?” The weather, too, fills in with equal faithfulness.  “Isn’t it a heavenly day!” or “Horrid weather, isn’t it?” It would seem that the variability of the weather was purposely devised to furnish mankind with unfailing material for conversation.

In bidding good-by to a new acquaintance with whom you have been talking, you shake hands and say, “Good-by.  I am very glad to have met you.”  To one who has been especially interesting, or who is somewhat of a personage you say:  “It has been a great pleasure to meet you.”  The other answers:  “Thank you.”

=In church=

People do not greet each other in church, except at a wedding.  At weddings people do speak to friends sitting near them, but in a low tone of voice.  It would be shocking to enter a church and hear a babel of voices!

Ordinarily in church if a friend happens to catch your eye, you smile, but never actually bow.  If you go to a church not your own and a stranger offers you a seat in her pew, you should, on leaving, turn to her and say:  “Thank you.”  But you do not greet anyone until you are out on the church steps, when you naturally speak to your friends.  “Hello” should not be said on this occasion because it is too “familiar” for the solemnity of church surroundings.

=Shaking hands=

Gentlemen always shake hands when they are introduced to each other.  Ladies rarely do so with gentlemen who are introduced to them; but they usually shake hands with other ladies, if they are standing near together.  All people who know each other, unless merely passing by, shake hands when they meet.

A gentleman on the street never shakes hands with a lady without first removing his right glove.  But at the opera, or at a ball, or if he is usher at a wedding, he keeps his glove on.

=Personality of A handshake=