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The
Etiquette of the Ballroom
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Ladies and gentlemen were on their best behavior in the
ballroom. Manners were more formal, clothing was finer, and
bows were deeper.
Men were expected to be extremely active in the ballroom
to make up for the total passivity required of ladies; who
could not ask gentlemen to dance, and who could not even be
seen to cross the dance floor unescorted. Ladies would be
conveyed to their station by a gentleman, and there they would
wait until another gentleman came to speak to them, ask them
to dance or convey them to the punchbowl.
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| "The gentleman should call for the lady whom he is to
escort, go with her to the ball, escort her to the dressing
room, return to join her there when she is ready to go to the
reception room... engage her company for the first dance, and
escort her to supper when she is ready to go. He must watch
and see that she has a partner for dancing through the entire
evening. Upon reaching home, if the lady invites him in, he
must decline. It is his duty to call in two days". |
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| "A gentleman should always walk around a lady's train
and never attempt to step over it. If by accident he should
tread upon her dress, he should beg her pardon, and if by greater
awkwardness he should tear it, he must offer to escort her to
the dressing room so that it may be repaired. If in the ball
room a lady asks any favor of a gentleman, such as to inquire
if her carriage is waiting, he should under no circumstances
refuse her requests... well bred gentleman will look after those
who are unsought and neglected in the dance". |
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Rules for the Ballroom
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A man who knows how to dance, and refuses to do so, should
absent himself from a ball.
Noisy talking and boisterous laughter in a ballroom are contrary
to the rules of etiquette.
In a ballroom, never forget nor confuse your engagements.
If such should occur, an apology, of course, must be offered
and pleasantly accepted.
Always wear white gloves in a ballroom. Very light shades
are admissible.
Usually a married couple do not dance together in society,
but it is a sign of unusual attention for a husband to dance
with his wife, and he may do so if he wishes.
Great care should be taken by a lady in refusing to dance
with a gentleman. After refusing, she should not accept another
invitation for the same dance.
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"When gentleman are introduced to ladies at a ball for
the purpose of dancing, upon meeting afterward, they should
wait to be recognized before speaking; but they are at liberty
to recall themselves by lifting their hats in passing. An
introduction for dancing does not constitute a speaking acquaintance"
[Editor's note: ladies and gentlemen could not dance
unless they had been introduced, so the hosts and escort spent
much of the evening rushing about making introductions]
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All the above quotes are from
"Rules of Etiquette & Home Culture" 1886
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