If he is alone with a lady, he does not sit next to her unless he is her husband, brother, father, or son.
He alights from the steps first so he may help her down. He takes care not to step on her dress.
In walking with a lady, never permit her to encumber herself with a book, parcel or anything of that kind, but always offer to carry it.
A gentleman is always introduced to a lady--never the other way around. It is presumed to be an honor for the gentleman to meet her. Likewise (and it is the more general rule of which this is only a specific example), a social inferior is always introduced to a superior--and only with the latter's acquiescence.
In going up a flight of stairs, a gentleman precedes the lady; in going down, a gentleman follows.
If a gentleman meets a lady who is a good friend and who signifies that she wishes to speak to him, he must turn and walk with the lady if he wishes to converse. It is not "done" to make a lady stand talking in a street.
A gentleman meeting a lady acquaintance on the street, should not presume to join her in her walk without ascertaining that his company would be entirely agreeable. It might be otherwise, and she should frankly say so.
In walking with a lady, it is customary to give her the right arm; but when circumstances render it more convenient to give her the left, it may be properly done (i.e. The gentleman always walks on the street side of the sidewalk).
At night your arm should always be offered to a lady, and also when ascending the steps of a public building. If a lady with whom you are walking receives the salute of a person who is a stranger to you, you should return it, not for yourself, but for her.
When two gentlemen are walking with a lady in the street, they should not be both upon the same side of her, but one of them should walk upon the outside and one upon the inside.
In the presence of ladies: never stand with your back to the fire, nor put your feet on the rungs of a chair, nor loll back on sofas, nor yawn, nor read aloud without being asked to do so, nor put your elbows on a table, nor drum tunes with your fingers, nor indulge in any of those minor vulgarities which may render you disagreeable to others.
ALWAYS
Stand up when a lady enters a room (or your presence)
Stand up when a lady stands
Offer a lady your seat if no others are available
Assist a lady with her chair when she sits down or stands, especially when at a table or when the chairs are small and light
Retrieve dropped items for a lady
Open doors for a lady
Help a lady with her coat, cloak, shawl, etc.
Offer to bring a lady refreshment if they are available
Offer your arm to escort a lady (with whom you are acquainted) into or out of a building or a room at all social events, and whenever walking on uneven ground
Remove your hat when entering a building
Lift your hat to a lady when she greets you in public (Merely touching the brim or a slight "tip" of the hat was very rude)
NEVER
Refer to another person by their first name in public (Capt. Glass, Mrs. Barber, and Miss Smith, Mr. Jones, etc.)
Curse or discuss "impolite" subjects when ladies are present
Leave a lady you know unattended, except with permission
Greet a lady in public unless she acknowledges you first (see "Always" #11)
Eat or drink while wearing gloves
Nod to a lady in the street, neither be satisfied with touching your hat, but take it off-it is a courtesy her sex demands
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