1880s London: cross-class introduction etiquette?

[__mermaid]

I've googled just about every combination of "introduction", "etiquette", "Victorian", "class", "working class", etc, that I can think of but I'm having real trouble finding the exact info I need. I'm finding plenty about society etiquette (and loads of "introduce yourself to this forum" posts), but nothing for the lower classes, and I can't think

Comments

[anonymous]

I have *no* special knowledge in the area aside from casual reading over many years and a smattering of university courses that touched on class manners, but it strikes me that the shopkeeper is likely to introduce himself and ask after the other man's name. The class difference isn't very big in this case. It could be considered cheeky for the lower class fellow to introduce himself, but not shocking. What happens after that might have more to do with class and with the specifics of the mens' personalities and circumstances - does he invite him inside, press money on him, have his assistant do the man a favor, offer the hero an appropriate job? It's not all that different from today, except class barriers were more explicitly maintained.

[jayb111]

It would be for the shopkeeper, as the senior person present, to initiate introductions, unless the assistant is already acquainted with the young man. Since the shopkeeper (presumably) feels grateful to the young man it would be quite reasonable for him to ask the young man's name and offer him his business card, if he has one, perhaps with an invitation to the young man to call on him if he can do anything for him. It would be pushy and presumptuous for such a young man to force his acquaintance on an older man in a higher social position, and presumptuous for the assistant to make introductions on his employer's behalf. The assistant might stop to introduce himself and congratulate the young man on his quick thinking, perhaps, after his employer has moved on

[inamac]

All this. The only person I can think of who outranks the Queen of England (and Head of the Commonwealth) is an Emperor - and the only one I can think of currently is the Emperor of Japan.

[jayb111]

And the Queen still wins, because she's a lady and older than he is - and has been Head of State longer. I think you'd have to go back to her own great-great-grandmother to find someone who could pull rank on her.

[marycatelli]

At Queen Victoria's funeral there was a todo because the Kaiser was put ahead of the King of Spain who had reigned longer. It was finally agreed that they could do that because he was, after all, her grandson.

[sartorias]

Old etiquette books were quite firm: men are introduced to ladies, and if two men meet, it is up to the one of higher rank to introduce himself, or introduce another person, or not.

In your case, the shopkeeper would introduce himself, and ask his savior's name, then introduce his assistant.

[rosinarowantree]

Agreeing with what has been said - about the higher status/older person making the running.

This would be particularly so in the circumstances you mention. The (apparent) reason why the younger man, the rescuer, would initiate an exchange of names would be to prompt a reward, or some outward display of gratitude from the better off rescuee. Normally, where our hero has saved someone, he departs without revealing his name, no matter what the social status of either party is.

[houseboatonstyx]

Yes. Literature of the period is full of such exemplary occasions. See Horatio Alger, E.P. Roe, etc. The young man either attempts to slip away quietly, or lies unconscious from a bleeding scratch on his forehead while the grateful richer man has him carried up to the guestroom, for his lovely daughter to wash his forehead with her best cologne and handkerchief, shortly before her scheduled wedding to someone she dislikes.

[mangosorbet007]

:-)

[eglantine_br]

This!

[enleve]

I am reminded of Mark Twain's parody of etiquette books on how to introduce yourself when rescuing someone from a fire. http://walternelson.com/dr/twain-etiquette