Communist Etiquette in Hungary

This Comic Depiction of “Comrade Lenin Cleansing the Earth” was Communist Propaganda

“The first handbook at Communist etiquette is to be published in Hungary soon. The mushrooming Communist substitutes for religious christening (now ‘name giving ceremony’), marriage (under the auspices of party and state functions), funerals (complete with Red Flags, choir and party assigned eulogists), have compounded confusion. Customs and rites are varying and the state feels the need of some form of central direction.” —As  reported in The Desert Sun, 1960

Map of Eastern Bloc Countries- From www.wikipedia.org

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

Etiquette for East German Troops

Barbed wire and an odd energy merge, as the Berlin Wall was first being built.

 Ulbricht's East German Troops Got Tips on Being Gallant in 1969

By Leon Dennen, for the Desert Sun, 1969 —

Who said chivalry is dead? According to a book of etiquette just printed by Communist East Germany as a "manual of good manners" for its armed forces, kissing the hand of a woman is indeed a “chivalrous gesture.” It is also recommended as an example of good Communist behavior.

"The kiss on the hand, which is more a breath than a kiss, belongs of course, on the back of the hand," says the Red manual. "If another spot is chosen, the gesture will far surpass the gallant function of the hand-kiss.”

Specifically addressed to the soldiers of Communist East Germany, the 340-page treasury of Red courtesy bears the appropriate title of “Refined or Not Refined—Chats on Good Behavior.” It is said to be the brain child of Walter Ulbricht, East Germany’s aged boss, who has the distinction of being the most despised Red chieftain not only in the capitalist West but also in the Communist East.

Ulbricht convinced Russia’s rulers to invade Czechoslovakia. He feared, not without reason, that the wave of liberalism in the neighboring Communist state would find an echo in East Germany. However, the unimaginative Russians made a fatal error when they' decided to include East German troops among the Warsaw Pact nations that occupied Czechoslovakia.

Europeans, including Communists, have not yet forgotten Hitler’s invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1938 and the subsequent tramp of German boots through their countries. They were shocked even more by the presence of East Germans among these invaders than by the occupation itself.

To add insult to injury, the East Germans obviously forgot that in 1968, unlike 30 years ago, they invaded Czechoslovakia as Communist “liberators" and not as Nazi conquerors. Communists or Nazis, they proceeded to behave like German invaders and the Russians were soon forced to send them home. It is apparently to avoid future embarrassing situations— future invasions, perhaps?—that Ulbricht decided to issue his book of etiquette. 

It provides every conceivable bit of advice on the conduct of the soldier "who does not only represent the People’s Army, but also socialist society and the German Democratic Republic.” For instance, drunkenness is a disgrace of the Communist army’s honor "and drinking straight from the bottle is not done either.” If there has been a party in a public place where certain quantities of food and drink have been consumed, the book of etiquette urges its readers "not to forget to pay.”

The military uniform is recommended as an entirely acceptable garb for all social events. However, it is not permitted to carry an umbrella "when wearing a uniform.”

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

Etiquette and Cold War Russians

The closest person there was to a “Soviet Amy Vanderbilt,” was a book entitled “Soviet Etiquette.” It was published in 1974.

Russians Offered Etiquette Tips; A tongue-in-cheek editorial from the Cold War era

The Russians... Those people who have disdained etiquette for years as a “petty bourgeois pretention.” "The Literary Gazette" of the USSR reported a few months ago that "interest in etiquette today is more extensive than ever.” But literature on the subject is practically nonexistent. A Russian graduate reportedly said, "The only etiquette books I’ve ever seen were from Poland. "I don’t know what we can learn from them." 

"Soviet Etiquette" is one brief collection published a few years ago. But even it gives the most basic and pedantic advice. For example: “Never dance while drunk, smoking or wearing a hat. While eating ice cream in a theater, never hold your cone over your neighbor’s lap." 

I’ll go along with that, but it’s obvious that they could use more expert counsel. So— naturally I have come to the rescue. Feel free to clip out the following advice, translate it to Russian and forward it to any Nikolai or Anastasia. 

When it comes to eating, for instance, few people have had more experience than I. Here are a few tips: 

• If you are invited to dinner, don’t ask for a doggy bag to take home all the leftovers. 
• It's gross to tuck your napkin under your chin even if you are trying to hide a dirty shirt or an offensive tie.
• Refrain from talking with your mouth full when eating spaghetti. Your date will find it difficult to remove sauce from her blouse. 
• It shows good manners to slurp soup but never elbow the person next to you in the eye when you drink from you bowl. 
• If you spill your coffee, don't use your date's scarf to mop it up. 
• It's acceptable to eat peas with a knife, but if you drop one, don’t try to find it on your hands and knees. The dog will get it. 
• Also, if you drop your knife on the floor, don't pick it up. 
• You can butter your bread with your fork handle.
• Never drink water from your finger bowl even during a drought. 
• If you start choking on a piece of meat, make sure you point out to your hostess that it isn’t her fault before you pass out.         

A men's Homburg hat ~ “Years ago I also talked to Amy Vanderbilt about proper introductions...” 

• Never introduce a girl to a boy unless he is rich, famous and single and—or the girl is desperate. 
• If you do have calling cards printed, it is considered gauche to have “available" stamped on them. 
• When introducing a poor friend to a rich one, don't point out the yearly salary of each. 
• Never accept a blind date unless you know the person well. 
• Your appearance cannot be underestimated. If you don't have black shoes to wear with your tux, make sure your sneakers are clean. 
• Hats are not worn with an evening dress especially Homburgs. 
• Perfume should not be so excessive that someone in a passing car is aware of it.
• Heavy cosmetics are a no-no even if your date prefers men that way. —The Desert Sun, 1977

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