It is bad form to solicit by innuendo or otherwise an invitation to call from a woman.  It is her privilege to make the first move in such matters; otherwise she would be placed in an embarrassing position.

       When an invitation specifies the hour,
       every effort should be made to be punctual. 
       It is impolite to be too early or too late.

At a formal call, when others are present, a man should not be seated unless invited to do so.  He should leave as others come in, and not remain longer than ten or fifteen minutes.

A man having a card or letter of introduction to a young woman should present it in person to the chaperone.  If she is out, he should mail it to her, and she should at once notify him whether he may call.

       If a caller is a stranger to the young
       woman’s hostess, he should send his card to
       the latter and ask to see her.

       The chaperone may, if desirable, give a
       man permission to call upon the woman
       under her charge.

A man should not call upon an unmarried woman until invited by her to do so.  He may ask a married woman who has a family for permission to call.

  Gloves.  Gloves need not be removed at a formal
       or brief call.

  Entertainments.  At entertainments a man
       should give his card to the servant at the
       door or leave it in the hall.

       A few appropriate words of greeting should
       be addressed to the hostess and host as soon
       after entering as possible.

Personal introductions are not absolutely required at musicales, teas, “At Homes,” etc.  One may converse with those nearest, but this does not warrant future recognition.

       When light repasts are served, as teas, ices,
       etc, a man should put his napkin on his
       knee and hold the plate in his hand.

He should depart with as little ceremony as possible—­a bow and a smile, if host and hostess are engaged, are sufficient.  He should not shake hands and try to speak unless it can be done without becoming conspicuous.

  Men calling on women—­hat.  A man making
       a formal or brief call should carry his
       hat in his hand into the parlor.

Shaking hands.  A man should not offer to
shake hands first, as that is the privilege of
the women.

Men—­dress.  In making ceremonious calls, men
wear afternoon dress, and after six o’clock
evening dress.

See also afternoon dress—­men.  Evening
dress—­men.

Pall-bearers.  See pall-bearers—­calls.