In Conduct

The Idea: A dictionary of etiquette for 1928.* The Motive: To tell those who do not set standards what is being done by those who do. The Story: Although famed Emily Post's outline of etiquette has run through 17 printings, people keep on asking her new conduct-questions. Recent examples: "Do you think it would be attractive to have the groom sing a solo at his wedding . . . and do I stay with the groom after the wedding most of the time?" Another: "How do you teach children not to swallow fish bones?" Another: "How can I develop sufficient ingenuity to be a cook-waitress and at the same time a cool, tranquil and charming hostess? . . . when I get up from the table to change plates or bring in a dish from the kitchen every man at the table jumps to his feet and follows me about in a natural impulse to help me. Nothing I know how to say will prevent them. Personally I am baffled. But I'm wondering if you can't help me?" Questions of this latter type--deal-ing with the problems of modern "nice people" who are often servant-less--give Mrs. Post scope for something new in conduct counsel. She advises servantless hostesses to give buffet suppers, and thus remain cool, charming--it is as simple as that Additionally, of course, the new volume revamps some 600 pages of Mrs. Post's well standardized advice.

* ETIQUETTE (an entirely new 1928 edition),-- Emily Post--Funk & W agnalls ($4).