VICTORIAN ERA Social Etiquette. ETIQUETTE AND MANNERS: VICTORIAN ERA Here are some of our favorite...
-
Upload
sylvia-goodman -
Category
Documents
-
view
227 -
download
0
Transcript of VICTORIAN ERA Social Etiquette. ETIQUETTE AND MANNERS: VICTORIAN ERA Here are some of our favorite...
VICTORIAN ERAVICTORIAN ERA
Social Etiquette
ETIQUETTE AND MANNERS: VICTORIAN ERA
H
ere are some of our favorite
practices of social etiquette from
the Victorian Era. (Requires a
sense of humor!)
1)BATHING1)BATHING
A
simple washing out of the eyes is not
sufficient. The complete bathing of the body
-once each day- is of the utmost
importance. (Not more than a quart of water
is necessary, preferably rainwater.)
2)HAIR
T
he head should be washed occasionally with soap and
water.
W
hen the hair is inclined to (έχουν την τάση να ) be
harsh and dry, a moderate application of bear's grease
(γράσο) or other dressing (μείγμα) should be used.
3)SKIN3)SKIN
B
eware of exterior applications
(εξωτερικές εφαρμογές) of cosmetics.
I
nstead, once every two or three
months, take a teaspoon full of
powdered charcoal (καρβουνόσκονη)
mixed with sweetened water (γλυκό
νερό) or milk.(ζαχαρούχο γάλα) This
will prove efficacious in making the
complexion(επιδερμίδα) clear and
transparent .
4)KISSING4)KISSING
U
pon the meeting of intimate friends, among
ladies, at the private house, the kiss as a mode
of salutation is yet common; but this is a custom
which ought to be abolished(καταργηθεί) for
physiological and other reasons.
5)BOWING5)BOWING
A
gentleman should not bow from a window to a lady on
the street (!) , though he may bow slightly from the
street upon being recognized by a lady in a window (!) .
Such recognition should, however, generally be avoided,
as gossip is likely to attach undue(υπερβολική)
importance to it when seen by others.
6)DIGNITY6)DIGNITY
T
o greet someone by saying "Hello, old fellow"
indicates ill-breeding(κακή ανατροφή). If you are
approached in this vulgar(χυδαίος) manner, it is
better to give a civil reply and address the person
respectfully, in which case he is quite likely to be
ashamed of his own conduct.
7)SMALL TALK7)SMALL TALK
N
o topic of absorbing interest
(
interesting topic) may be admitted to polite
conversation. It might lead to discussion.
8)CONDUCT TO AVOID AT 8)CONDUCT TO AVOID AT THE BALLTHE BALL
N
o gentleman should enter the
ladies' dressing room at a ball.
9)CARD-PLAYING9)CARD-PLAYING
I
f possible, do not violate the rules of the game and
do not cheat. Should you observe anyone
cheating, quietly and very politely call it to his
attention, and be careful that you do not get
excited. People who experience ill-feeling at the
game should avoid playing.
10)MARRIAGE10)MARRIAGE
A
nyone with bright red hair and a florid complexion
should marry someone with jet-black hair. The very
corpulent (obese) should marry the thin and spare
(λιτοδίαιτος), and the body, cold-blooded
(ψυχρόαιμος) should marry the round-featured,
warm hearted, emotional type.
11)HUSBANDS11)HUSBANDS
A
lways leave home with a tender
goodbye and loving words. They
may be the last.
12)TRAIN12)TRAIN TRAVELTRAVEL
P
eople with weak eyes should avoid
reading on trains, and those with
weak lungs (πνεύμονες) should
avoid talking.
13)STREET 13)STREET ETIQUETTEETIQUETTEW
hen crossing the pavement
( πεζοδρόμιο ), a lady should raise her dress with the right hand, a
little about the ankle. To raise the dress with both hands is vulgar
and can only be excused when mud is very deep.
RULES OF SOCIAL RULES OF SOCIAL ETIQUETTEETIQUETTE
F
or those in the upper echelons of society , rules
such as the proper forms of address, and even
what to wear (including which pieces of jewelry
would be appropriate) were all considered very
important. For the lower class , the poor, there
wasn’t time for etiquette.
WHAT TO AVOID … WHAT TO AVOID …
T
he Upper and Upper-Middle Class from
the slightest burp ( social ruin if it was
heard ) to how a gentleman spoke to a
young lady , Victorian society was greatly
concerned with every aspect of daily
life .
From the moment the Upper Class left their beds their days were governed by Do’s and Don’ts.
T
he Horror of social ostracism was paramount ( κυρίαρχος ) . To be
caught in the wrong fashion at the wrong time of day was as
greatly to be feared as addressing a member of society by the
wrong title .
I
t was important to know whom you could speak with – especially
if you hadn’t been properly introduced . For a woman , being
asked to dance by a complete stranger could posse an etiquette
problem which might have repercussions(επιπτώσεις)for days .
Y
oung Ladies were constantly chaperoned(συνοδευόμενες)
. To be found alone with a gentleman who was other than
family was tantamount (ισοδυναμεί)to social death. Her
reputation(φήμη) would be ruined and her gentleman
companion would find himself the object of gossip , and
most usually derision(χλευασμός).
T
he established career for society women was
marriage – full stop . They were expected to
represent their husbands with grace and provide
absolutely no scandal . Charity work would be
accepted , but only if it was very gentile … sewing
for the poor , or putting together food baskets .
G
entlemen had to keep track of when it was
proper to either smoke or have a glass of
sherry in front of ladies . When to bow and to
whom to tip your hat could cause gossip if
the wrong decision was made.
M
embers of Victorian society kept busy with
parties , dances , visits , dressmakers , and
tailors(ράφτες) . Keeping track of what other
people in your social class were doing was
also a full-time occupation .
THE PEOPLE IN THE THE PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLEMIDDLE
B
eing a servant in one of the grand Victorian houses was a
position which guarantee shelter and food . However ,
there was etiquette to be learned
T
he upper class was never to be addressed unless it was
absolutely necessary . If it was the case , as few words as
possible were to be uttered(ειπωθεί).
MA’AM AND SIR MA’AM AND SIR
U
sing the proper title was of the utmost
importance. “Ma’am” or “Sir” was always
appropriate . If “Ma’am” was seen , it was
necessary that you ‘disappear’, turning to
face the wall and avoiding eye contact .
L
ife was easier , though , amidst(ανάμεσα) your
fellow servants . Although private fraternization was
frowned upon (αποδοκιμαζόταν), it wasn’t against
the rules for those ‘below stairs’ to enjoy
singing , dancing , and other social activities
together .
Q
uite often the ‘upper class’ of the servant world ,
the butler and housekeeper , would put aside
their lofty roles in the household and join their
fellow servants in gaiety (ευθυμία) . But come the
morning , they would reign supreme once again
H
aving a profession was another way of
being a member of the middle class of
Victorian society . Shopkeepers , doctors ,
nurses , a schoolmaster , or parish priest
were all notable professions .
O
ften times , the only difference between being a member
of the upper-middle and the middle class was the amount
of wealth you had gathered , and how it was flaunted .
A
nother indicator was the number of servants you employed
. Having more than one servant was a sure sign that you
had money .
S
ometimes , the ‘uppers’ and the ‘middlers’ would mingle
(ανακατώνομαι). If the proper introductions could be
managed , it was possible for a tradesman to receive
backing from a prominent ‘upper’ member .
With a successful business deal , both parties could
increase their wealth and for the ‘middler’ , their station
in life .
‘‘THE POOR’ WERE THE POOR’ WERE INVISIBLE… INVISIBLE…
T
he Lower Class Victorian Society did not recognize that
there was a lower class .
T
hey might work as : Chimney sweeps , ratcatchers ,
workers at factories ( they had no place in the echelon of
the upper class ) – although their services would be
needed from time to time
POPULAR POINTS OF POPULAR POINTS OF ETIQUETTE DURING THE ETIQUETTE DURING THE
VICTORIAN ERAVICTORIAN ERA V
ictorian girls were trained early on in life to prepare
herself for a life dedicated to home and family if she
married, and charity if she didn’t. And young ladies ,
though advised on the importance of catching a man ,
were warned not to be too liberal in display of their
charms. Meekness and modesty were considered
beautiful virtues.
I
nvitations should be sent at least seven to
ten days before the day fixed for an event ,
and should be replied to within a week of
their receipt , accepting or declining with
regrets .
N
ever lend a borrowed book. Be particular to return one
that has been loaned to you, and accompany it with a
note of thanks.
R
ise to one’s feet as respect for an older person or
dignitary .
W
hat can I say? A true gentleman tips their hat to greet
a lady, open doors. And always walks on the outside.
C
onversation is not to talk continually , but to listen
and speak in your turn.
D
o not monopolize conversation or interrupt
another speaker to finish his story for him.
A
nd as for the Gentlemen, they should be seen and
not smelled. They should use but very little
perfume , as too much of it is in bad taste.
When introduced to a man , a lady should never offer her hand , merely bow politely and say , “ I am happy to make your acquaintance . “
While courting , a gentleman caller might bring only certain gifts such as flowers , candy or a book. A woman could not offer a gentleman any present at all until he had extended one to her, and then something artistic, handmade and inexpensive was permissible .
A
gentleman may delicately kiss a lady’s hand, the
forehead , or at most, the cheek.
I
f you are conversing with people who know less
than you , do not lead the conversation where they
cannot follow.
V
ictorians take the rules of propriety
very seriously. It is who they are. Of
one does not confirm , they are
considered outcasts In proper society.
Education
The educating of young women would not be complete without the teaching of refined deportment . Social living and decorum is as much a part of their curriculum as are math , literature and other academic subjects. There have been many books written to instruct both young women and men on the proper rules of conduct. They know that proper conduct and decorum is not only a measure of social standing and success, but was necessary to be looked upon as a means of entering the growing upper classes.
Bowing
Clothes