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Rules for social calls

Do I text you or should I just pop by ?. Rules for social calls. What is a call?. A call is a short visit paid to someone Card-and-call system created for several reasons: Sorting who could come to your house No feeling of unease in conversations Informing people

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Rules for social calls

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  1. Do I text you or should I just pop by? Rules for social calls

  2. What is a call? A call is a short visit paid to someone Card-and-call system created for several reasons: Sorting who could come to your house No feeling of unease in conversations Informing people It also enabled to get into the elite circles

  3. How to call on someone? First, you leave a card to a servant Then, you wait for an answer The servant comes back with another card If the card says “Not at home” = refusal Otherwise you can come in

  4. Rules of calls Very precise schedule: Only during the week ≠ on Sunday Between 3-6pm: 3-4 = Ceremonial Call 4-5 = Semi-ceremonial Call 5-6 = Intimate Call A call last between 20 and 30 minutes If your calls are not returned = no will to maintain the relationship

  5. Other codes If you came in person to deliver the card = turn down one of the card’s corners Your card had then much more weight

  6. Other codes When you arrived in town, you would start calling on people as soon as possible A newcomer waited for the neighbors to leave cards. She/He would then call on them. Sometimes, leaving a card could replace calling on someone.

  7. Other codes A gentleman would leave two cards: to the mistress and to the head of the family If someone else calls during your call, you are to leave You should be underdressed rather than overdressed A young woman should never call alone

  8. Other codes They were different types of calls, for instance: Ceremony Friendship Congratulations Condolence (Also to bid farewell) And many other rules: Send a card 1 week after a death Send a card at most 10 days after a ball etc…

  9. Cards

  10. Cards designs Men and Women had different cards. Women’s were bigger (man carried it in pockets) Only the men’s cards could mention an address Women’s names never without title Mrs. or Miss Cards evolved during the 19th Century: Bigger in the Victorian period than during the Regency More colorful as time went by

  11. A fine card = good quality paper + engraved

  12. A way to show off In the entry hall, cards were put in a silver salver. Several goals: Remembering whom to return calls to Showing the ranks of your acquaintances

  13. Fortunately… There were books to teach you these rules • Several books explained the social manners to be respected, and the calling rules. • For example, MrsBeeton’s Book of Household Management (1861)

  14. The end! Sources: Janeausten.co.uk Janeaustensworld.wordpress.com Historyandotherthoughts.blogspot.fr Jastoryandhistory.blogspot.fr Edwardianpromenade.com

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