Gilded Age Carriage Etiquette

The correct and incorrect manners of helping a lady into a carriage — A young gentleman always gives his right arm to an elderly lady in walking with her as a continuation of the “carriage etiquette,” which always puts the gentleman on the lady’s left.

As Rome Does

Etiquette in Rome is very strict as to one point. It is not considered proper for lady to take the arm of a gentleman in a Catholic church. In walking about St. Peter’s, the guides mention this to the couples who innocently stroll arm in arm, looking at the statues, pictures, altars and frescoes of that wonderful interior. Perhaps this is because any idea of its being a promenade should be discouraged. 

A gentleman remonstrated with the guide on one occasion, saying that the lady with him was his mother, and lame. “Then put your hand under her arm,” said the guide; “but do not let her take your arm.” A young gentleman always gives his right arm to an elderly lady in walking with her. When being asked why this is done, he answers that it is a “continuation of the carriage etiquette,” which always puts the gentleman on the lady’s left. — Weekly Butte Record, 1886

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