Etiquette Throwback: 1922, The Prevailing Introduction and Inflection
This excerpt from the 1922 edition of Emily Post Etiquette focuses on introductions and can be found on page 5.
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Emily Post’s Etiquette, 1922: The Prevailing Introduction and Inflection
Chapter Two Introductions, PG 5-6
THE PREVAILING INTRODUCTION AND INFLECTION
In the briefer form of introduction commonly used,
“Mrs. Worldly, Mrs. Norman,”
if the two names are said in the same tone of voice it is not apparent who is introduced to whom; but by accentuating the more important person’s name, it can be made as clear as though the words “May I present” had been used.
The more important name is said with a slightly rising inflection, the secondary as a mere statement of fact. For instance, suppose you say, “Are you there?” and then “It is raining!” Use the same inflection exactly and say, “Mrs. Worldly?”—“Mrs. Younger!”
Are you there?—It is raining!
Mrs. Worldly?—Mrs. Younger!
The unmarried lady is presented to the married one, unless the latter is very much the younger. As a matter of fact, in introducing two ladies to each other or one gentleman to another, no distinction is made. “Mrs. Smith; Mrs. Norman.” “Mr. Brown; Mr. Green.”
The inflection is:
I think—it’s going to rain!
Mrs. Smith—Mrs. Norman!
A man is also often introduced, “Mrs. Worldly? Mr. Norman!” But to a very distinguished man, a mother would say:
“Mr. Edison—My daughter, Mary!”
To a young man, however, she should say, “Mr. Struthers, have you met my daughter?” If the daughter is married, she should have added, “My daughter, Mrs. Smartlington.” The daughter’s name is omitted because it is extremely bad taste (except in the South) to call her daughter “Miss Mary” to any one but a servant, and on the other hand she should not present a young man to “Mary.” The young man can easily find out her name afterward.
These are quite detailed instructions that Emily is providing. She’s making the reader aware of slight differences in speech that can create impressions we should both be aware of and use to our advantage. While we slightly question Emily’s use of example here, “Are you there? “It is raining!” to convey the proper inflection, (Send us your thoughts in the comments, do they go together? Or are these separate thoughts?) we are kindred spirits with our great-great-grandmother as writers when it comes to trying to describe tone of voice and the different impressions created from how we say something.
Today we might argue that in most introductions where you are going to use the name exchange method, “Samantha Rendell, Ethan Upham,” unless there is a true difference in rank or age, you keep the tone and inflection similar for both names, not giving weight to either one, but keeping a friendly and pleasant tone as you say each.
If you wanted to show deference to one of the people being introduced but still want to keep it to just an exchange of names, you would direct the introduction toward this person. Rather than just stating each name. You add inflection to make the first name a question and the second name a response.
“Samatha Rendell? Ethan Upham!”
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Lizzie and Dan