Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 February 1909 — A WOMAN TRAVELLING ALONE. [ARTICLE]

A WOMAN TRAVELLING ALONE.

A well-bred woman is never annoyed when traveling, alone, becansesbe does nothing to make herself spicuous, and if she needs direction hr aid ‘she does not apply to strange fellow travelers, but to a uniformed man connected in Borne capacity with the place in which she finds herself. Under no consideration whatever should a woman address a strange' man unless it be civily to answer a question or comment on his part. But her respond should be made in such a manner as to check further advances from him. , , Any conversation with strangers is unnecessary, for in the well-equipped trains of present there is always some official'who can do for her or answer needful inquiries. A brakeman will know whether the train stops at the station to which the woman wishes to go. He, too, wiU open a window or ventilator should a traveler wish this done. If a fellow traveler offers to open a window, it is not necessary to refuse severely. This is such a common courtesy that it is usually accepted and the person thanked, that being the end of the matter. It is easy to tell from the man’s manner whether he is doing it to open conversation or merely to offer a common courtesy. A woman alone frequently finds herself placed at the same table with man •in .the dining car, and the fact need cause her no uneasiness. While it cannot be called good form to enter into conversation with him, she need not behave with aggressive indifference. It is perfectly proper that he should ask her for the salt or pepper, for instance, or that she should request similar favors of him if the waiter 1b not present. The opportunity thus given for conversation is not taken advantage of by a well-bred man. If one proves lacking in breeding, his impersonal questions should be answered civilly, but not in a manner to encourage conversation. It is always a wise provision for a woman traveling alone, if her journey is a long one, requiring staying over night in a strange city, to telegraph ahead for a room or even write for it before leaving home. This entirely prevents the serious awkwardness of being refused if she arrives late in the evening. If this has not been done, it is unnecessary for her to go to the office herself, for she can send a boy from the woman’s reception room requesting that the clerk will come to her. When traveling the proper manner of dressing is most Important, for the general appearance has much to do with the service and attention that are given a woman. To dress elaborately makes a woman conspicuous, and this is undatable. Sloppiness or the wearing of old clothes is the other extreme. An appropriate toilet is a well-cut tailor dress, with a medium-size or small dark hat, furs In winter or a long silk dusf cbat in summer.