How Much Do You Know About Victorian-Era Etiquette?

Yes, the Victorian age was littered with odd rules of every kind. When men loaded into carriages, they were supposed to ride with their backs facing the horses.

In the Victorian age, young and unmarried women were required to follow all sorts of prudish rules. They weren't allowed to leave the house without an escort, lest they somehow wind up an inappropriate situation of some sort.

Women were entirely discouraged from discussing politics. They were expected to stick to more … "womanly" topics.

Men were never supposed to smoke around ladies. And if women approached a gaggle of smoking men, they'd have to extinguish their tobacco.

Gentlemen were suppose to be, well, gentle around women -- attentive to any and all needs they might display. They were expected to help ladies with just about anything, setting aside their own needs.

Young women were mostly supposed to avoid greeting men in public, but if the situation was unavoidable, she could demurely offer him one hand.

If a man asked a woman to dance, she was supposed to accept. She could only refuse if she was already dancing with someone else, otherwise she'd seem uppity or ungracious.

Corsets are one of the fashion items most closely associated with the Victorian age. These crushingly tight accessories were necessary, said some doctors, to support the internal organs of females.

Single young women weren't allowed simply drift away from a party on their own. They needed to be accompanied by at least one -- better yet, two -- married women. Preferably ninjas.

Women didn’t really want to be able to smell men. But a bit of cologne didn’t hurt, so long as they didn't dump half the bottle on their beards.

In a rush? Well, not now you're not, because Miss Emily just offered you her hand … so you should turn and walk with her.

A crinoline was a weird metal cage that women used to hold their skirts away from their legs. They looked as ridiculous as they sound, and they made it awfully difficult for females to navigate doorways.

You brought small kids to a formal gathering? Or are you rude or just weak in the head? Next time leave them somewhere else.

If they were home in late afternoon, women were expected to be ready to receive visitors. That meant being dressed and ready to rock … even if no one showed up.

It was one of the most hurtful things you could do to someone back the day -- cutting. When you looked someone in the eye in public … and but refused to acknowledge that you knew them.

Mostly, young women weren't supposed to be talking to men in public on the streets. But if those conversations did develop, both people were supposed to avoid loud talking at all costs.

Sigh. Really, Mary? Did you just sigh in public? You're the embarrassment of our entire clan!

A young bride was supposed to select young bridesmaids. Imagine the horror -- the horror -- if a 20-year-old bride picked a 30-year-old woman to be in her wedding!

Want to drop in an acquaintance? Sure thing … but if you do so before 3 p.m., you're pretty much an uncultured Neanderthal.

There were strict rules guiding visits to other peoples' homes. If you accepted a formal invitation for a visit, you had to wear basic clothing, nothing too ostentatious or fancy.

Don't be a monster. Just like today, you're expected to make sure your shoes or clean before you enter a home.

A woman has just offered you her hand on a public street. What do you do? Well, you offer your hand as well … but it needs to be the hand that's farthest from her, because, you know, we don't want any hanky panky happening here.

When men and women traveled together as friends, women were expected to hand over their cash. That way, he could pay for her expenses using the money she gave him.

Woe to women who liked to imbibe in public. They could only have a single glass of champagne. But no one said anything about tequila, so pour me three more, Victor!

Ostentatious displays of wealth were frowned upon at dances. Men could wear jewelry of sorts, but just very basic, unfrilly items.

It was never, ever appropriate for a woman to receive male guests when she was home alone. And you know why (cue cheesy jazz music).

It was considered rude to offer only a hand to a woman as you walked her across a room during a fancy ball. Give her the whole arm.

Men were always supposed to go first up the stairs. And you know why, you Peeping Tom.

Men were expected to dress very formally for dances. That included basic white gloves.

If someone insisted that you sing or play an instrument at a social gathering … you were expected to just do it. No hemming, no hawing, no delays.