10 Truly Bizarre Social Rules That People Actually Followed In the 1800s

Lifestyle All Bizarre January 27, 2025

Oh the times they have always been changing, and so have the bizarre etiquette rules that surrounded high society. Perhaps thankfully though, it seems that the various etiquette rules that have been either casually or strictly enforced in society have gotten a little less bizarre. When one looks back to the 1800s though, it becomes vividly clear just how bizarre the times were back then.

1. Calling Cards Were Crucial

A vintage card with ornate borders reads, "May I see you home?" Below, a drawing shows a person sitting on a fence and another walking with a bundle. Text says, "Or will I have to set on the fence and watch you meander by?

Get a load of this. Back in the days of the 1800s, all visitors were generally expected to leave highly personalized calling cards whenever social calls were made. If you failed to do so, you were basically a blatantly disrespectful human being in the eyes of “proper society.” Yikes.

2. Women Weren’t Allowed To Refuse A Dance

People in 19th-century attire dance joyfully outdoors. A woman in a red dress leads a circle, while others in varied outfits join. Trees and musicians are in the background, enhancing the festive atmosphere.

I mean, come on, people. To live in a world where one just simply isn’t allowed to refuse a dance because that’s what’s expected of you, sounds like not a fun world to be a part of at all.

3. Absolutely No Laughing With Your Mouth Open

Four sepia-toned vintage photos depict a man and woman posing. In the top two, they are smiling and laughing, with the woman leaning affectionately on his shoulder. The bottom two show a more formal pose on the left and similar affection on the right.

Not that there’s really any sense of rationality present in any of these. So, we really shouldn’t be surprised that people were expected to never exactly “break out” into laughter but instead keep that laughter sealed up.

4. Zero Public Displays Of Affection

A sepia-toned vintage photo shows a man joyfully swinging a smiling woman in a long coat. They are outdoors in a park-like setting, surrounded by blurred trees and grass, both appearing happy and playful.

Showing affection in public was considered crass, which makes photos like this one even more fun.

5. Children Were Only To Be Seen And Never Heard

A vintage black and white photo features five children standing in front of a wooden gate. They are dressed in worn, rustic clothing. The children are smiling and holding sticks, with a backdrop of rural landscape and trees.

This gives off a bit of a horror movie aesthetic, and it’s all-around unpleasant. Just ponder over the kinds of ramifications that this had for a kid having any decent shot at healthy psychological development as they grew older.

6. Tea Drinking Was A Very Delicate Art

A woman in an elegant Victorian dress holds a teacup delicately, sitting in profile. Her hair is styled up with a ribbon, and she wears a high-collared blouse with lace and detailed embroidery, giving an impression of timeless sophistication.

Whenever one drank tea back in the 1800s, the legend goes that it was required to keep a pinky out of the teacup grip, as well as to never leave the spoon in the teacup. Fail to abide by that etiquette, and you were just a belligerent tea drinker indeed.

7. Gloves Were Required

Two women in elegant 19th-century gowns. One wears a striped yellow and red dress with a large fan. The other wears a lavender gown with lace details and a long train. Both have gloves and elaborate hairstyles. Ornate backdrop with plants behind them.

So, apparently bare hands were considered downright crude back in the day. It was expected that both men and women wore gloves to all events. Failure to do so was on par with neglecting your responsibilities as an upstanding citizen.

8. Gifts Were Only To Be Opened Privately

A lively 17th-century interior scene depicts a joyful family gathered around a fireplace. Children and adults engage in playful interactions. The room is adorned with period furniture, scattered food items, and a warm ambiance from the glowing fire.

It was expected that any gifts you received would be opened in private. Opening your gift in front of the actual gift-giver was nothing, if not outright disrespectful. What a trip.

9. Men Were To Walk On The Street-Side Of The Sidewalk

A vintage illustration of a 19th-century street scene at night. Gas lamps illuminate people walking on a wet sidewalk. Horse-drawn carriages and Victorian-era buildings line the street, creating a nostalgic and atmospheric urban setting.
pictore

Apparently, this was a bit of social etiquette that was either strictly or loosely enforced for safety purposes. What if whoever was being “required” to not walk on the street-side of the sidewalk really wanted to, though, because they had a fear of not being able to do so?

10. Ladies Were Never To Be Left Alone

Two women in Victorian attire sit on a sofa in an ornate room with floral wallpaper. One, in a pink dress, smiles while the other, in a blue dress and hat, shows her a letter. A small table with a red box is beside them.
clu/iStock

This is another one of those bits of “social etiquette” that was enforced to try and promote a safer environment. A man’s failure to do so was looked upon as a gross misstep.

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