Judge, 1927-10-29 · page 13 of 36
Judge — October 29, 1927 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "High Hat" Etiquette for Speakeasies This satirical piece mocks the absurd "etiquette rules" supposedly governing behavior in speakeasies—illegal bars operating during Prohibition. Judge magazine presents a faux-instructional guide on proper conduct in these establishments, with accompanying cartoons illustrating six scenarios. The humor targets both the pretentiousness of high society attempting to maintain "civilized" behavior in fundamentally lawless venues, and the speakeasy culture itself. References include: tipping your hat to women at the bar, the gauche behavior of drinking from derby hats, "uncovering" (removing hats) when guests leave, and speaking to unknown women. The cartoons illustrate these absurd "rules," mocking the contradiction between formal etiquette and the illegal, chaotic nature of Prohibition-era drinking establishments. The satire suggests that speakeasy patrons—attempting to appear refined despite breaking the law—have created an ironically rigid social code for an inherently transgressive activity.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
JUDGE IA Friends, Roamin’, Country- men! We are gathered here to- day to fill a country’. ut gap in. this fastest k- easy! Here in our very midst is tie that it stag- gers the im tion, not to me tion the customers, and yet, yes, and yet, mellow citizens, nothing greatest and growing gindustry—the Sp. a business so gi has been done to determine a form of buy-laws, a course of conduct, or a book of etiquette to guide the ignorant public while in these jernts! ot My good friend, Mac, and my- self, after months of research in and around the main arteries of vantic business, ak- easy etiquette, which we gladly offer gratis, free and unincum- bered to our High Hat readers! No magazine in the world has this here now gis have compiled a course in CRSLLY NU) jt. a ever before offered such a public service and we trust that our little friends will be cognizant (Hot dog!) of this wonderful boon to humanity. ALWAYS TIP YOUR KELLY TO A LADY (See Plate 1). An observer of the niceties should always remember to doff his hat when a lady approaches the bar, that is, of course, unless he is acquainted with her. == 2D AHR - [WATE DRINKING HIGHBALLS OUT OF DERBY HATS (See Plate 2). is considered, by the haut monde, This gauche gesture as being on a par with drinking tea out of a saucer, and is con- sidered a deplorable faux pas. fh UNCOVERING WHEN A CUSTOMER DEPARTS (See Plate 3). Members of the best families always make it a prac- tise, following an old folk cus- tom, of uncovering when a guest leaves. With this quaint, old ritual, the meticulous Speakeasy proprietor invariably places his flag at half m NEVER FAIL TO SPEAK TO A LADY YOU DON’T KNOW (See Plate 4). Amid (Continued on page 31) comicbooks.com