Etiquette and Social Life

Contributors: Edith Villavicencio

Abstract:

-Everything social revolved around money. Someone’s behavior and manners depended on their social status. I

-There were some manners that everyone, poor and rich alike were expected to follow. A few of these manners were to be followed while in public in the streets, such as not laughing too loud in public, and not running in the streets. Many of the other rules were general. Don’t make unnecessary movements because it might appear ungraceful. Don’t turn your back to others because it was disrespectful. Don’t read books or papers when you’re with other people.

-Of course, when speaking to someone, there were many manners that would be taken into consideration. These are listed in George Washington’s Rules of Civility, which he first copied at age twelve.

1. Every action done in company should be done with some sign of respect to those present.

2. When in company, put not your hands to any part of the body not usually discovered.

3. Show nothing to your friend that might affright him.

4. In the presence of others, sing not to yourself with a humming noise, nor drum with your fingers or feet.

5. If you cough, sneeze, or yawn, do it not loud but privately, and speak not in your yawning, but into your handkerchief or hand.

-A huge part of social life in Colonial America was children. Pampering a child, buying them nice clothes, and educating them well in dance, posture, etiquette, and other arts was a way families could show off how privileged they were, and how much money they had to spare and spend on their children.

-Parties were often held in the houses or manors of the hosts. After a large, multiple course dinner, the men and women would separate. All parties were very extravagant, or at least as extravagant as possible.

Interviews:

Me: Can you tell me about how you fit into the social structure of Williamsburg?

Colonial Farmer's Wife Actress: I can try.

Me: Okay.

Colonial Farmer's Wife Actress: Well, I am a poor white farmer's wife. I'm pretty much at the bottom. Except for slaves. They're lower than me. That's really the bottom. That's all I can tell.

Images and Resources:

“History.org.” Online. 11/13/07. http://history.org/Almanack/life/manners/rules2.cfm

Bibliography:

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Earle, Alice. Child Life in Colonial Days. Montana: Kessinger Publishers, 1993.

Lady at Millinery Shop. Personal interview. 25 October 2007.

Slave Actor. Personal interview. 23 October 2007.

Tour guide at Shirley Plantation. Personal interview. 14 October 2007.

Tunis, Edwin. Colonial Living. Baltimore, Maryland: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1999.

Wigmaker. Personal interview. 25 October 2007.