Talk:Handkerchief
Use[change source]
I deleted a section which appeared to refer to now redundant methods of folding a handkerchief to put into a man's suit pocket. This was under the heading "Use" and had only the vaguest relationship to "use". A section on "use" would be useful. If a section on how a man might fold a handkerchief to put in his suit pocket is deemed important, then it need to have both an appropriate heading, and an explanation.
There is also a statement that the material of a handkerchief could be related to status. But then no explanation is given as to what sort of material might be either the best, or the most expensive.
here are some clues to improving the article.
1. In the days when people always carried handkerchiefs, people would reliably use them. i.e. if a person coughed, they covered their mouth. Most people nowadays do not. Likewise, the droplets from sneezing were collected, not sprayed all over the public bus. 2. Handkerchiefs were sterilised by boiling them. They were then ironed with a hot iron. 3. Because handkerchiefs were sterile, a clean handkerchief could be used in emergency to bandage a wound. Any First Aid manual described how to use clean handkerchiefs effectively as bandages and slings. A broken leg could be imobilised by tying it to a broomstick, or some such, with several hadkerchiefs. 4. Handkerchiefs were a very common present. 5. Handkerchiefs were often decorated specially as gifts by crocheting or tatting the edge, and embroidering an initial or a floral motif onto one corner.