Perfect Behavior: A Guide for Ladies and Gentlemen in All Social Crises

FLOWERS AND THEIR MESSAGE IN COURTSHIP It is now time to settle down to the more serious business of courtship. Her letter shows beyond the shadow of a figurative doubt that she is “interested,” and the next move is “up to you.” Probably she will soon come into the office to see her father, in which case you should have ready at hand some appropriate gift, such as, for example, a nice potted geranium. Great care should be taken, however, that it is a plant of the correct species, for in the etiquette of courtship all flowers have different meanings and many a promising affair has been ruined because a suitor sent his lady a buttercup, meaning “That’s the last dance I’ll ever take you to, you big cow,” instead of a plant with a more tender significance. Some of the commoner flowers and their meaning in courtship are as follows: Fringed Gentian— “I am going out to get a shave. Back at 3:30.” Poppy— “I would be proud to be the father of your children.” Golden-rod— “I hear that you have hay-fever.” Tuberose— “Meet me Saturday at the Fourteenth Street subway station.” Blood-root— “Aunt Kitty murdered Uncle Fred Thursday.” Dutchman’s Breeches— “That case of Holland gin and Old Tailor has arrived. Come on over.” Iris— “Could you learn to love an optician?” Aster— “Who was that stout Jewish-looking party I saw you with in the hotel lobby Friday?” Deadly Nightshade— “Pull down those blinds, quick!” Passion Flower— “Phone Main 1249— ask for Eddie.” Raspberry— “I am announcing my engagement to Charlie O’Keefe Tuesday.”