MODERN CANDOUR.

Shannon News, 16 April 1929, Page 4

MODERN CANDOUR.

INFLUENCE ON MANNERS.

# Candour: Openness of heart, freedom from tricks or disguise.

Thus runs the definition in a standard dictionary, first published in 1565. Little, did the lexicographer dream to wlia-t lengths this candour, which he defines, would be carried within 70 years. Has there ever, I wonder, since prehistoric times, been such candour as there is now? asks a London writer. The moderh woman with her clear insight and her dislikes for fripperies, foes straight to the point, and the young man, glad of a lead, follows suit.

Our grandmothers would have gone white with rage, stamped a dainty foot and vowed never to speak to “that wretch” again, had remarks such as are now heard been’addressed to tier.

“I say, old thing, your complexion seems to have slipped a little this morning,” I heard a young man _say to a girl recently. Shades of the Victorian age I Can you imagine the heartburnings, the indignation, the biting silence which would have greeted such a remark even in mother’s day? That a man should dare—! Good heavens! I doubt if an early Briton would have dared to remark to his girl, “Your woad is misplaced this morning.” “Let’s have a look. Yes, you’re right. I have splurged it a bit this morning,” and the girl proceeded to rectify it. No annoyance, rather contentment that he had noticed it.

Yet it is in a "way truly delightful, and I doubt, if any harm is done. Friendship between sexes ripens so quickly’ and freely that frankness is essential.

Women, as they always have, and I trust -always will, enjoy a compliment, but the days of the flowery, long-wind-ed effort have passed, let us hope for good. The unobtrusive, subtle colnpliment, the direct candid praise, or the left-handed ‘ ‘ Not so bad, old girl, ’ ’ if said with due eye action, give just as much pleasure. And what do the women think? Has modern candour killed “chivalry?” . To. a certain extent', yos. And over this - women, though they will not ■always show it, feel agrieved. How they still hate to see a man talking to a girl with his hat on, with a cigarette in his mouth, and yet it is not uncommon. Women, no matter how modern, resent this.

*- Still they appreciate and expect a door to be opened for them, being allowed to pass out first, the courtesy oi having things carried for them, the man who rises to his feet -when they enter the room, and a hundred and one other such matters, which are only really good manners. And yet, some of the hail-fellow-well-met type will not insist on them or show appreciation for them.

Yes, candour, “openness of heart,” by all means, but do not let us lose manners. Do not let chivalry die in a boorish frankness about equality of sexes. It is up to women to see that it does not. -The matter is in their hands. -