Victorian Etiquette

We victorians take the rules of propriety very seriously.It is who we are. The education of young women would not be complete without the teachings of refined deportment. Social living and decorum is as much apart of our life as rithmetic and literture. there have been many books written toteach us the proper etiquette. we have 3 different types of etiquette:
BALLROOM ETIQUETTE:
Women are supposed to always be graceful and even something like dancing has to look effortless, and we always have to make sure that we appeared elegant and refined. It also has a reference to the fact that when were dancing, the goal of the our etiquette was to please the man. Another mannerism that we follow in the ball room was that a lady should not attend a public ball without an escort, or that no lady should ever be left unattended. This is just another example of how a woman needed a man in order for her to fit into society. It was considered rude if a woman were to ever be seen alone at a ball.
DRESSING ROOM ETIQUETTE:
The dressing room of a lady IS suppose to be her sanctuary, or a place where nobody except for her is to enter. It was a place where we are meant to admire ourselves and make ourselves look presentable at all times for our husbands. The husband should always find us,the wife, fresh, beautiful, sweet as a flower.The dressing room is a place where we are able to be vain and cover up or hide any imperfections that we may have had. In order for our husband to be pleased, we have to retire to the dressing room and make ourself beautiful, even if it included tricks. Above all, it was private. A lady is to look beautiful at all times, but make it look like it didn't take any effort at all. It was proper etiquette to always wear our hair up.
DINNER TABLE ETIQUETTE:
Things such as the cleanliness of the linen and utensils, and the way that the bread is cut were important details that we take into consideration for dinner parties. The salt even has to look neat and be made in a special way! The place settings are also important, and it was proper to not have any lights, things in the shape of flowers, or raised dishes that may interrupt communication between the guests. Also, it was important for the carver of meat to have a sharp knive and a large serving dish.

Victorian Manners

We have alot of manners we use for code.

*Rise to one's feet when being introduced, or when someone enters the room.

*Ladies are judged by their manners on their upbringing, class status, their family's wealth, their education, the kind of man they would be entitled to marry.

*Posture and carriage is of utmost importance.

*A man always escorts a woman everywhere, to where she needs to go, if possible, though there is a fine line between unmarried couples who are not "publicly engaged" together simply wandering off together.

*As always, it has always been ladies first. Men will also perform more chivalry acts such as offering the lady a hand to go up her carriage. Ladies are never seen opening their own doors in the presence of a man, or carrying anything heavy.

*It was rude to boast, brag or be pretentious. It was considered vulgar. One should always remain humble.

*OnIt was rude to try to be nosy or marry off anyone. The only one concerned should be the mothere should always in be in good taste.

*It indeed vulgar to pay extra attention to someone or "apple-polish/boot-lick" someone because of wealth and status and position in society.
One should always make others feel comfortable in their presence.

*A lot of effort went into hiding their feelings and emotions, keeping everything very civil.