Oh the times they have always been changing, and so have the bizarre etiquette rules that surrounded high society. Perhaps thankfully though, it seems that the various etiquette rules that have been either casually or strictly enforced in society have gotten a little less bizarre. When one looks back to the 1800s though, it becomes vividly clear just how bizarre the times were back then.
1. Calling Cards Were Crucial
Get a load of this. Back in the days of the 1800s, all visitors were generally expected to leave highly personalized calling cards whenever social calls were made. If you failed to do so, you were basically a blatantly disrespectful human being in the eyes of “proper society.” Yikes.
2. Women Weren’t Allowed To Refuse A Dance
I mean, come on, people. To live in a world where one just simply isn’t allowed to refuse a dance because that’s what’s expected of you, sounds like not a fun world to be a part of at all.
3. Absolutely No Laughing With Your Mouth Open
Not that there’s really any sense of rationality present in any of these. So, we really shouldn’t be surprised that people were expected to never exactly “break out” into laughter but instead keep that laughter sealed up.
4. Zero Public Displays Of Affection
Showing affection in public was considered crass, which makes photos like this one even more fun.
5. Children Were Only To Be Seen And Never Heard
This gives off a bit of a horror movie aesthetic, and it’s all-around unpleasant. Just ponder over the kinds of ramifications that this had for a kid having any decent shot at healthy psychological development as they grew older.
6. Tea Drinking Was A Very Delicate Art
Whenever one drank tea back in the 1800s, the legend goes that it was required to keep a pinky out of the teacup grip, as well as to never leave the spoon in the teacup. Fail to abide by that etiquette, and you were just a belligerent tea drinker indeed.
7. Gloves Were Required
So, apparently bare hands were considered downright crude back in the day. It was expected that both men and women wore gloves to all events. Failure to do so was on par with neglecting your responsibilities as an upstanding citizen.
8. Gifts Were Only To Be Opened Privately
It was expected that any gifts you received would be opened in private. Opening your gift in front of the actual gift-giver was nothing, if not outright disrespectful. What a trip.
9. Men Were To Walk On The Street-Side Of The Sidewalk
Apparently, this was a bit of social etiquette that was either strictly or loosely enforced for safety purposes. What if whoever was being “required” to not walk on the street-side of the sidewalk really wanted to, though, because they had a fear of not being able to do so?
10. Ladies Were Never To Be Left Alone
This is another one of those bits of “social etiquette” that was enforced to try and promote a safer environment. A man’s failure to do so was looked upon as a gross misstep.
