5 Ways To Greet In Colonial Times

In the 17th and 18th centuries, colonial America was a melting pot of cultures, with people from different backgrounds and social classes interacting with each other. During this time, greeting someone was not just a simple matter of saying "hello," but rather a complex ritual that involved etiquette, social hierarchy, and cultural norms. Here are 5 ways to greet in colonial times:

The Art of Greeting in Colonial America

In colonial America, greetings were an important part of social etiquette. They were used to show respect, establish social hierarchy, and convey emotions. The way you greeted someone depended on their social status, your relationship with them, and the occasion. For example, a gentleman would greet a lady with a bow and a tip of his hat, while a lady would greet a gentleman with a curtsy.

Bowing and Curtseying

One of the most common ways to greet in colonial times was by bowing or curtseying. A bow was a gesture of respect, where a person would lower their head and upper body to show deference to someone of higher social status. A curtsey, on the other hand, was a gesture of respect made by women, where they would lower their body and make a slight dip with their knee. The depth and duration of the bow or curtsey depended on the social status of the person being greeted.

For example, a gentleman would make a slight bow when greeting a lady, while a lady would make a deeper curtsey when greeting a gentleman of higher social status. The bow or curtsey was often accompanied by a greeting, such as "good morrow" or "good day."

The Use of Titles and Honorifics

In colonial America, titles and honorifics were used to show respect and establish social hierarchy. When greeting someone, it was customary to use their title and last name, followed by a greeting. For example, "Good morrow, Mr. Smith" or "Good day, Mrs. Johnson." The use of titles and honorifics was especially important when greeting someone of higher social status, such as a governor or a member of the aristocracy.

The Handshake

The handshake was another common way to greet in colonial times. However, it was not as widely used as it is today. In fact, the handshake was mainly used among men of equal social status, and it was not considered proper for a gentleman to shake hands with a lady. When a handshake was used, it was often accompanied by a greeting, such as "good day" or "good morrow."

Different Greetings for Different Occasions

In colonial America, different greetings were used for different occasions. For example, when greeting someone in the morning, it was customary to say "good morrow." When greeting someone in the afternoon, it was customary to say "good day." When greeting someone in the evening, it was customary to say "good evening." The occasion and time of day also determined the level of formality and the type of greeting used.

The Role of Body Language

Body language played an important role in greetings in colonial America. A person's posture, facial expression, and eye contact could convey their attitude and intentions. For example, a gentleman who greeted a lady with a slight bow and a smile was showing respect and friendliness. On the other hand, a gentleman who greeted a lady with a scowl and a grunt was showing disrespect and hostility.

In conclusion, greetings in colonial America were complex rituals that involved etiquette, social hierarchy, and cultural norms. Different greetings were used for different occasions and social classes, and body language played an important role in conveying attitude and intentions. Understanding these greetings can provide valuable insights into the culture and society of colonial America.

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