 |
CHAPTER EIGHT: CORRESPONDENCE AND INVITATIONS
Perfect Behavior |  |
ACCEPTANCES AND REGRETS
RESPONSES to invitations usually take the form of "acceptances" or "regrets." It is never correct, for example, to write the following sort of note:
Your invitation for the 12th inst. received and in reply would advise that I am not at the present time in a position to signify whether or not I can accept. Could you at your convenience furnish me with additional particulars re the proposed affair—number of guests, character of refreshments, size of orchestra, etc.? Awaiting an early reply, I am,
If one wishes to attend the party, one "accepts" on a clean sheet of note-paper with black ink from a "fountain" pen or inkwell. A hostess should not, however, make the mistake of thinking that a large number of "acceptances" implies that anybody really wishes to attend her party.
The following is a standard form of acceptance:
Dr. Tanner accepts with pleasure the kind invitation of Mrs. Frederick Cummings Bussey for Thursday evening, December twelfth, at half after eight.
This note need not be signed. The following "acceptance" is decidedly demode:
DEAR MRS. ASTOR:
Will I be at your ball? Say, can a duck swim?
Count on me sure.
FRED.
It is also incorrect and somewhat boorish to write "accepted" across the face of the invitation and return it signed to the hostess.
If one does not care to attend the party, one often sends one's "regrets" although one just as often sends one's "acceptances," depending largely upon the social position of one's hostess. The proper form of "regret" is generally as follows:
Alice Ben Bolt regrets that she will be unable to accept the kind invitation of Major General and Mrs. Hannafield for Wednesday evening at half after eight.
Sometimes it is better to explain in some manner the cause of the "regret," as for example:
Alice Ben Bolt regrets that, owing to an ulcerated tooth in the left side of her mouth, and severe neuralgic pains all up and down her left side, she will be unable to accept the kind invitation of Major General and Mrs. Hannafield for Wednesday evening at half after eight, at "The Bananas."
This is not, however, always necessary.
|
CHAPTER EIGHT: CORRESPONDENCE AND INVITATIONS
Perfect Behavior | |