victorian etiquette

I am so pleased to be able to expound upon the virtues of our fair Antiquity, that I thought perhaps I should relay the proper way for Gentlemen and Ladies to behave in accordance to the times. The following are excerpts from a site, which address shall follow:

Gentlemen On The Street

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Street manners-Male A real gentility never swears or talks uproariously. He should never fail to raise his hat politely to an acquaintance of either sex. If he should bump into someone or step upon a lady’s dress he must "beg their pardon", and at no time should he lose his temper nor attract attention by excited conversation. It is proper to offer a lady his arm, particularly in the evening and it should always be the right arm. People passing should observe the law of "turn to the right" and in this way the lady would not be jostled. It is always proper for a gentleman walking alone to give the lady or a gentleman with a lady, the inside of the walk. Lady On The Street Street Manners-Lady The true lady walks the street, wrapped in a mantle of proper reserve, so impenetrable that insult and coarse familiarity shrink from her, while she, at all times, carries with her a congenial atmosphere which attracts all, and puts all at their ease. A lady walks quietly through the streets, seeing and hearing nothing that she ought not to, recognizing acquaintances with a courteous bow, and friends with words of greeting. She is always unobtrusive, never talks loudly, or laughs boisterously, or does anything to attract the attention of the passers-by. She walks along in her own quiet, lady-like way, and by her preoccupation is secure from any annoyance. A true lady in the street, as in the parlor is modest, discreet, kind and obliging. It is proper that the lady should first recognize the gentleman. A gentleman will never fail to bow in return to a lady; but a lady may not feel at liberty to return a gentleman’s bow, which places him in a rather unpleasant position. Therefore, a lady should give the first smile or bow. She must refrain, at all times, from using the gentleman’s Christian name. http://www.victorianstation.com/lifestylemenu.htm A most advanced and exciting time We reside in!!! I, for one, find excitement at every turn with the advent of electricity and numerous other inventions designed to ease our lifestyles! I hope that in future writings to expand upon the glories of our our accomplishments and until that time, dear readers, be well! S.R. Beaumont