=GOOD MANNERS AT THE THEATER=

In passing across people who are seated, always face the stage and press as close to the backs of the seats you are facing as you can.  Remember also not to drag anything across the heads of those sitting in front of you.  At the moving pictures, especially when it is dark and difficult to see, a coat on an arm passing behind a chair can literally devastate the hair-dressing of a lady occupying it.

If you are obliged to cross in front of some one who gets up to let you pass, say “Thank you,” or “Thank you very much” or “I am very sorry.”  Do not say “Pardon me!” or “Beg pardon!” Though you can say “I beg your pardon.”  That, however, would be more properly the expression to use if you brushed your coat over their heads, or spilled water over them, or did something to them for which you should actually beg their pardon.  But “Beg pardon,” which is an abbreviation, is one of the phrases never said in best society.

Gentlemen who want to go out after every act should always be sure to get aisle seats.  There are no greater theater pests than those who come back after the curtain has gone up and temporarily snuff out the view of everyone behind, as well as annoy those who are obliged to stand up and let them by.

Between the acts nearly all gentlemen go out and smoke at least once, but those wedged in far from the aisle, who file out every time the curtain drops are utterly lacking in consideration for others.  If there are five acts, they should at most go out for two entr’actes and even then be careful to come back before the curtain goes up.

=VERY INCONSIDERATE TO GIGGLE AND TALK=

Nothing shows less consideration for others than to whisper and rattle programmes and giggle and even make audible remarks throughout a performance.  Very young people love to go to the theater in droves called theater parties and absolutely ruin the evening for others who happen to sit in front of them.  If Mary and Johnny and Susy and Tommy want to talk and giggle, why not arrange chairs in rows for them in a drawing-room, turn on a phonograph as an accompaniment and let them sit there and chatter!

If those behind you insist on talking it is never good policy to turn around and glare.  If you are young they pay no attention, and if you are older—­most young people think an angry older person the funniest sight on earth!  The small boy throws a snowball at an elderly gentleman for no other reason!  The only thing you can do is to say amiably:  “I’m sorry, but I can’t hear anything while you talk.”  If they still persist, you can ask an usher to call the manager.

The sentimental may as well realize that every word said above a whisper is easily heard by those sitting directly in front, and those who tell family or other private affairs might do well to remember this also.

As a matter of fact, comparatively few people are ever anything but well behaved.  Those who arrive late and stand long, leisurely removing their wraps, and who insist on laughing and talking are rarely encountered; most people take their seats as quietly and quickly as they possibly can, and are quite as much interested in the play and therefore as attentive and quiet as you are.  A very annoying person at the “movies” is one who reads every “caption” out loud.