Jane Austen
Etiquette Rules in Pride and Prejudice
General:

- A social inferior was always introduced to a superior, usually by a third party.

- A nobleman’s daughter would not be allowed to marry a merchant.


The Lady:

- Young women were expected to display their availability and attractions to appropriate members of the opposite sex effectively, yet without deception, vulgarity or exploitation.

- It was not proper for a girl to be "out" (socially active) before the age of 17/18.

- It was considered improper for a woman to dance more than two dances with the same partner.


The Gentleman:

- A gentleman was always introduced to a lady, never the other way around.

- A lady was not to be kept standing and talking in the street; a gentleman was to turn and walk with the young lady if she indicated that she was willing to converse.

- A gentleman needed to establish that he was paying attention to the appropriate daughter of a family, the eldest.

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Works Cited:

Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. Clayton, Deleware: Prestwick House, 2005. Print.

"The Manners and Customs of Life in Jane Austen’s Time – OR How to Win the Mating Game!" Jane Austen's House Museum. N.p., 2007. Web. 16 Nov. 2013.

"Manners and Customes in the Time of Jane Austen." Manners and Customes in the Time of Jane Austen. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2013.