We should say, "I would like a dozen stamps, if you please," or, "Please weigh this letter," rather than, "I want a dozen stamps," or, "Weigh this letter, will you?"
The post-office is a place of business, like a store or a bank. Our only object in going there is to mail or receive letters, which we should do like any other business,--in a quiet, respectable manner. No one has a right to stand around in the way of others, or to make it a place of idle resort. No well-bred person, even a child, will indulge in loud laughing and talking, staring at or making remarks about people, or other conspicuous behavior here or in any public resort.
A railroad station is also a place of business, and unless it is necessary for us to go there, we had better stay away. In small towns it is quite a fashion for boys and girls to go to the station "to see the cars come in"; but it is not improving to their manners or morals. If they could realize, especially the girls, how out of place they appear standing on platforms, where they have no occasion to be, jostled by passengers and baggage-men, and exposed to the rude remarks of passers-by, they would never go there unnecessarily.
In all public places we should consider, in reference to our conduct, two things: first, the courtesy we owe to others; and second, the respect we owe to ourselves.
_Politeness in the waiting-room._ _Buying a ticket._ _Getting on and off the cars._ _Obtaining and occupying seats._ _Offering seats to ladies._ _Leaving seats temporarily._ _Talking, laughing, and eating._ _Taking a seat with another._ _Courtesy toward officials._ _Courtesy toward fellow-travellers._ _Conduct if delays occur._ _Behavior at places for refreshment._ _A French boy's politeness in travelling._
BEFORE we fairly begin the journey we want to consider what belongs to good manners at the station.
If the waiting-room is crowded, and there are not seats for all, the young ought cheerfully to give place to older people, especially to old ladies and to mothers with little children in their arms. There is often opportunity here to show little courtesies to others which may brighten their whole day.
To amuse a fretful child for a few moments, or bring it a glass of water when the mother cannot leave other children to do it, or to find the baggage-master and get a trunk checked for a nervous old lady, is a small thing in itself, but it may be more welcome to the receiver under the circumstances than a far greater favor at another time. The comfort or discomfort of a journey is made up of just such small things.
