Much Rudeness at 1884 Ball

 “… the young men should remember that much confusion on the dancing floor is caused by long delays when partners are called...”  A scene from a ball in HBO’s “The Gilded Age,” ~ Image Source Pinterest

A Reprehensible Practice at a Leap Year Dance

One of the noticeable features of the evening was the frequency with which the gentlemen retired to the dressing-rooms o adjust their silk hose. This in itself very well and proper, but the young men should remember that much confusion on the dancing floor is caused by long delays when partners are called. Several times during the night the gentlemen were not on hand promptly, and the generally good natured ladies were offended and in some cases even angry. 

There is another point of etiquette which was over-looked on the part of the gentlemen. At midnight we chanced near a young fellow elegantly dressed in brocaded silk. A lady stepped up and asked: “May I see you to supper?” “Oh, how nice; but mamma says I must take the children,” replied the thoughtless male. “How many?” “Six” “The suffering Moses: Do you take me for a bank?” “Oh, I don't know.” “But I do, and blast me if I'll ever have any six dirty brats toddling after me. Not much and the offended girl walked indignantly off.”

Again we must repeat that the management is not at fault; what few hitches there were during the program are to be credited only either to the innate depravity or unthinking blunders of some who smuggled themselves past the police guardian at the door, As for him, we recommend This removal from the force; for it is his business to know people and to shut out those not moving in society circles. – In the Stockton Mail, Boston, 1884

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

Gilded Age Dinner Guest Lists

Great care should be taken to invite those who are agreeable to each other. Good talkers and good listeners are equally invaluable at a dinner. 

TO shine at the dinner table requires much conversant practice with polite life. Persons invited to a dinner party should be of the same standing in society. They need not be acquaintances, yet they should be such as move in the same class or circles. 

Great care should be taken to invite those who are agreeable to each other. Good talkers and good listeners are equally invaluable at a dinner. Among your guests always have one or more musicians. This will add greatly to the entertainment of your friends before and after dinner. —From “Rules of Etiquette and Home Culture,” 1890

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