When you made your initial calls (for example, upon returning from vacation) you would have your driver (calls were usually done by the ladies of the house, since the gentlemen were too busy to partake in these daily outings) take you to the houses of those you wished to be made aware of your presence in town. Your footman would take a card with your name on it (for the lady of the house) and two of your husbands (one for the lady of the house and one for her husband) to the butler of the house, who would proceed to place the cards on a tray or the mantel. Sometimes these cards were purposely left on display to allow visitors to see the important people that called upon the house. The lady of the house was then socially obligated to answer your call within a week to ten days, either with a card or by a visit in person during "at home hours" or the socially acceptable times (as listed on the Calling page). An in-person call was more desirable than a just a card and neither was considered a great snub and breach of etiquette.

While ladies did most of the calling, gentlemen would often call on the gentleman of the house or along with their wives. But the only acceptable time that a man would be allowed to send out his own cards was to let his acquaintances know he was getting married and that their friendship was allowed to continue after his marriage (Poole, 1993).

If you were the bold type, you might attempt to visit without having previously left a card. When you were received at the door, you would inquire if the lady of the house was "at home" and would present your card. This did not refer to being physically at home, but you were inquiring if she was receiving calls. The lady of the house might not be receiving any calls for the day and you would be told that indeed, she was "not at home" and the card would be left.

Cards were also sent with R.S.V.P.s, greeting cards, funerals and other special instances (see Special Visits for specific rules).