Surname 1

Etiquette Guide for Victorian-era Youth

Student’s Name

Institution

Professor

Course

Date

Anticipation Guide

Directions: Read through the statements below. If you agree with the statement, put a "+"

on the line; if you disagree, put a "-." If you neither agree nor disagree, put "+/-" or some

other mark.

+ Girls never marry the men they flirt with.

It is absurd to have a hard-and-fast rule about what one should read and
+/-
what one shouldn’t.
- Once a week is quite enough to dine with one’s own relations.

+ Health is the primary duty of life.

+ An engagement should come on a young girl as a surprise.

- I don’t like novels that end happily.

It is not a really serious engagement if it hadn't been broken off at least
-
once.
+ I am very fond of being looked at.

+/- In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity, is the vital thing.
 Surname 2

+ No woman should ever be quite accurate about her age.

Victorian Era Etiquette Guide

Every Culture has its own rules to address protocol using the right etiquette. In the

history of etiquette and protocol, the Victorian era is regarded as the most influential

culture to observe etiquette and protocol. The Victorian era was named after the reign of

Queen Victoria, and it lasted for over 70 years from the 1830s to the 1900s. She is

regarded as one of the longest-serving queens rising to the throne in 1937 and died in

1901, marking the end of the Victorian era (Roland). Etiquette during the Victorian era

was directed toward youths and especially young women on how to behave to be

considered beautiful. Today, etiquette rules are constantly changing where an acceptable

manner today would be a disgrace during the Victorian era. The pamphlet below presents

a guideline on proper etiquette for the youth in the Victorian era.

 Surname 3

According to Victorian-era etiquette, it was totally inappropriate for a lady of class

to talk or socialize with anyone. If at a chance she caught the attention of a handsome and

gentle young man, it was inappropriate to spin with him on the dance floor. However, this

could be considered if there was a proper introduction of the young man to the family in

question.

No Need to Use Jewelries

to Impress Ladies
 Surname 4

Sorry girls! Receiving expensive gifts from someone special was unacceptable

during the Victorian era. It was actually wrong, especially if you were not related or

engaged. According to Professor Thomas E. Hill, an etiquette expert, ladies would only

receive books, flowers, confectionary, or sheet music without causing a stir (Old Farmer’s

Almanac). This is because these gifts did not give wrong messages and were acceptable.

To be Respectable
was a Virtue

Keeping secrets was highly appreciated. Youths were required to keep secrets

among themselves, and spreading rumors was not etiquette and was regarded as the

biggest betrayal. To remain honorable and respectable, Victorian etiquette advocated for

respectable as a virtue.
 Surname 5

Etiquette was observed

in talking, eating, and
walking.

For example, a young lady was expected to observe etiquette rules on how she

walks in the streets, talks with other people, and how to eat a fruit gracefully day. In fact,

when eating fruit, she was expected to slice it in small slices that would fit in the mouth

using a silver knife. Back then, this act was a highly regarded form of etiquette.

Children were
taught how to
dine.
 Surname 6

Mealtime during the Victorian era, there was no room for children to run

around the table, as this was seen as a lack of etiquette. On most time, children eat on a

different table with their parents with a close watch of house workers.

Don't slurp your

ice cream.

Proper eating was an important etiquette. For instance, when giving out ice

cream, it was to be accompanied by a spork that would help eat the ice cream in a diligent

manner. Once it reaches the chunk, it was finished despite how much you wanted to wrap

up everything.

FINAL THOUGHTS
The victorian era was defined
by etiquette. Everybody was
expected to act diligently in the
protocol. The youths and
especially young women were
molded around etiquette,
 Surname 7

References

Old Farmer’s Almanac. “Victorian Era Etiquette and Manners.” Old Farmer’s Almanac,

22 Oct. 2018, www.almanac.com/content/victorian-era-etiquette-and-manners.

Accessed 14 Nov. 2019.

Roland, Elisa. “46 Etiquette Tips of the Victorian Era That Need to Make a

Comeback.” Reader’s Digest, Reader’s Digest, 5 Sept. 2018,

www.rd.com/culture/victorian-era-etiquette/. Accessed 14 Nov. 2019.