13 Facts About Etiquette Rules That Will Show You Why Manners Are So Important

by N/A, 11 years ago | 1 min read

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There's an interesting history behind the manners your grandmother tried to instill in you, even if she didn't know it.

belief manners facts History etiquette Humanities Non-Premium

1. Brides parents pay for the wedding

This was usually part of a bride's dowry.

2. Showering the bride with gifts

If a girls parents didn't approve of her marriage, a wedding shower was the way she would obtain the dowry that they wouldn't pay for her to get married.

3. Covering your mouth when you yawn

Historically, it was through that an evil spirit could enter your body while you yawned.

4. Clinking glasses

This was developed as a way to make sure that you weren't trying to poison your fellow party goers. People would spill a little of their drink into their neighbors as a show of good faith.

5. Shaking hands

This practice started in England. It was a way of making sure that no one was armed.

6. Taking your hat off indoors

Men usually wore hats to protect themselves from wind, rain or other weather conditions. They took them off inside so that rainwater wouldn't fall into meals or onto people.

7. Woman walks on the inside of the sidewalk

This was started as a way for men to protect women from being splashed by cars or hit, if one were to lose control.

8. Saying "bless you"

This dates back to 590 CE when Pope Gregory I demanded that anyone who sneezed be blessed, so that they don't catch The Plague.

9. Elbows off the table

This started in medieval times and was started so that there was enough room at the table during feasts.

10. Not pointing at people

Many cultures believe that pointing at people means that you are sending evil their way.

11. Tipping your hat

This had a similar purpose to the handshake. It was a way to display friendliness and vulnerability.

12. Not wearing white after Labor Day

In the 1800s, taking note of who was wearing white after Labor Day was a way to weed out old money from new money.

13. RSVPing to events