Proper etiquette for receiving a guest, and being one

[jenna]

According to an etiquette book published in 1858, this is the rules for receiving a guest to your home for and extended stay at your home:

-At least 2-3 days before your guest arrives make sure to open all the windows in their room and air it out.
-Have two matteresses available to your guest, one hard and one soft, so that they may choose which they would like to sleep on. Leave them in the room as they are airing out.
-Provide your guest sheets and linens for the bed. Make sure that they are of the best quality and free of holes and stains.
-Make sure that the room has a small writing dest that is supplied with plenty of paper, stamps, and ink.
-Provide toiletries for your guest, so that they do not have to bring their own, or feel inconvienanced in asking you for such things.
-Make an effort to find out what time your guest rises in the morning so that breakfast can be arranged around them. Change your schedual to accomidate your guests, so that they feel more at home.


As a guest being received by your hostess:
-Make sure you write one week ahead of time to confirm your arrival date. Do not be late. It is inconsiderate.
-Make sure to bring your own bed linens so as to not put your hostess' family out.
-Bring your own stationary, ink and stamps. It is inconsiderate to think that your hostess would supply those items for you.
-Make sure to wake when the family rises and have breakfast with the family. It is inconsiderate to make the family arrange their scheduels to accomidate yours.
-bring your own toiletries. It is proper for you to do so. Also, leave them with your hostess, as a gesture of gratitude.


Now, how crazy is all of that!!!???

Jenna

[thea_447]

It sure IS crazy. I wonder if all these rules applied for those LONG family visits too? I have heard that in most families when they traveled a goodly distance to visit with other family members they stayed at least 3-4 weeks!

[jenna]

I think allot of these etiquette rules were for the upper crust of society. The common lady who worked the farm would not have bother with such firvolities. It's crazy!

I am not sure of family visits, but it would go to reason that the same set of rules would be set.

Like I said- crazy!!!!