We believe that we live in a cultured, educated society at the dawn of the 21st century and behave quite civilized in the vast majority of cases. "Why are there rules of etiquette in society?" - you ask. From time immemorial, certain laws of behavior existed in a highly developed cultural society, among people representing a higher class of education and behavior.
Let’s try to find out why etiquette rules exist in society
First, a little history. Several millennia ago, a system of division into castes was formed. Ancient India, China, Rome - in the highest circles there was a regulation of the behavior of government representatives and wealthy clans.
In Europe, this concept appeared a little later. It was introduced by the French king Louis 14, who invited all court guests to submit labels with the rules of conduct written on them in the palace.
Etiquette entered the wide masses in the first half of the 14th century as a whole code for different sections of the population, written by the Florentine Giovanni Della Caza.
The rules of ethical behavior came to Russia by themselves from religious treatises. Before the reforms of Peter I, the entire Slavic people lived according to the rules of "Domostroi", guided by the Holy Scriptures and religious worldview. Peter brought changes, taking an example from Europe.
Why are there rules of etiquette in society if we have long ceased to be divided into castes and estates?
In a newer story, etiquette rules have become more specific. In the 18-19 centuries, society was still divided into certain classes: nobles, bourgeois, ordinary people, etc. In order to create successful and equal marriages, regular ball seasons were organized. At such events, first of all, unmarried children, who were ready for marriage by age, were brought out and presented to society. Parents and children met, shone in front of each other with their wealth, education, upbringing. Then, each representative of the upper class understood why there were rules of etiquette in society. Ignorance of them could turn into a disaster for a young man or girl, since this moment was considered fundamental, and learning the rules began almost from the cradle.
The rules of modern etiquette
Today, these rules apply to social events. Various representatives of government, business, and the entertainment industry periodically meet at such events for the sole purpose of shining as bright as possible under the sights of paparazzi cameras and cameras. And it is here that their ability to behave appropriately in such a society is important.
