Etiquette for Entering a Carriage

“The gentleman should alight, quiet the horses and hold the reins in his right hand as a guard against accident.”

When Great, Great Grandma Was A Girl

Graceful ceremony marked the assisting of a lady into a carriage years ago— but it’s all changed now. The old etiquette book of over a century ago advised that “the gentleman should alight, quiet the horses and hold the reins in his right hand as a guard against accident. The lady then should place her hands on her escort’s shoulders and enter the carriage in a dignified manner.” Today the driver usually sits at the wheel, snaps the automobile door open, calls ‘alley oop’—and they’re off. — Madera Tribune, 1928

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia