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Rules for social calls

Rules for social calls. Do I text you or should I just pop by?. By Matiiiiiiio & Quentin. 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. Rules for social calls Do I text you or should I just pop by? By Matiiiiiiio & Quentin

  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 A card

  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 • 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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