Common Informal
Etiquette: Where Did They All Begin...
Informal
etiquette go as far back as pre-Middle Ages. They were formed from sensible
ways of doing things which prevented conflict, brawls and strain in social
relationships. Compliments to these early efforts to form peaceful
relationships between people of long ago, we have the rules of etiquette to
follow now and there seems to be no possibilities of changing these anytime
soon. Here are some informal etiquette and how they started.
Handshake
If it were not
for the movies and history books, we probably do not have a clear idea of how
people dressed long ago. Well, apart from the tight leggings and the flowing
poncho-like cloths hanging on their backs, swords were also very fashionable.
So they wore swords all the time. And when you have a shiny broad sword with
you that flares how manly you are, it is hard to resist the temptation of not
using it to cut somebody else's limbs.
Since troubles
often ensue when men are armed and when they are equipped with a dysfunctional
sense of anger and lots of booze, some sensible people thought it more polite
to use the hands instead of the swords in greetings. So since the Middle Ages,
men extended their right hands to signal friendship and their lack of need for
trouble and brawling.
This custom was
passed down over the years and has become an official gesture for greeting as
well as a gesture of courtesy. So people, in almost all parts of the world,
greet people with a handshake using the right hand on almost all types of
occasions- whether it be formal or informal.
The "Ladies
First" Attitude
Ever wondered why
females always get to go first on the line? Or why they always have to be
assisted when getting in and out of the car? Or why they always have to be
given the special treatment? That's because it's the polite thing to do. While some
contemporary females no longer want to have this conduct practiced, ladies of
some centuries ago thought it's convenient and functional.
During the time
when they wore very long gowns and very stiff corsets, it was impossible for
them to feel comfortable and for them to move the way they wanted to, so it was
men's obligation to assist them when they exit the carriage, when they walk in
pavements, when they attend concerts and plays. Again, this was passed down the
succeeding generations and voila- you have societies that give females the
so-called special treatments.
Basic Manners of
Good Taste
Some rules apply
like they were cropped from good common sense. Some of these are daily
activities which we choose to do when we are alone and far from human interference
like picking nose, passing gas, scratching various parts of the body, spitting,
using obscene gestures and languages, fidgeting, belching loudly, coughing or
sneezing very loudly, and a host of many other common bad manners.
The thing though
is, these did not root from common sense, instead they were established from
good taste. This is why people sneer at other people if they do the
aforementioned activities in public since these display bad taste, both in
personal habits and manners.
It is hard to
imagine how societies can be more organized and safer to live in without the
basic rules of etiquette. Thanks to the
people who wanted to make the world a better place to live in, we now have
lesser people who don’t bother about being impolite.
