Back in the day, life seemed so much easier.

Marriages were arranged. Beauty rituals were relatively uncomplicated. And, best of all, there wasn’t a cell phone to be found — let alone a Blackberry, Treo, Palm, or wireless notebook.

So indulge in a recent rebirth of civility: The calling card is officially back. And we don’t mean business cards. (In more civil times, after all, who you were was far more important than how you made a living.)

Proof comes in the form of a little rectangle of ivory vellum, handsomely engraved with your name, home address, and occasionally a method of contact. Centered above it? Usually a delicate motif — maybe a small golden fleur-de-lis or perhaps an embossed cricket. We’ve found the prettiest versions at Cross — their scripts make for a simple, sophisticated self-presentation.

Now, if only there were an equally easy solution to beauty and dating.

But don’t hold your breath.

Cross, The Mall at Chestnut Hill, 199 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill (617-527-0530).