#and I see that same sentiment reflected in etiquette books from the Victorian and Edwardian eras

[rabbits-of-negative-euphoria]

i have been thinking about “forms” in music, but also “forms” in Greek philosophy (as the disembodied concept of a given thing), and how perhaps that same sense of form survives in our use of the word “formal” when describing clothes and events

#- HK #and I now wonder if perhaps forms in social behavior in ages past were seen less as oppressive restrictions #and more as expressions of one’s feelings and beliefs #because when I look at Southern forms—Southern hospitality #I don’t think ‘I’m doing this because it’s Expected of me’ #I’m doing it to say to my guest ‘I love and respect you and I want to give you the best of myself & ease your burdens & make you enjoy life’ #and I see that same sentiment reflected in etiquette books from the Victorian and Edwardian eras #it’s not ‘this is how you make people respect you and your family’ #it’s ‘this is how you show your respect for the shop lady downtown and consideration for your dearest bosom friend’ #mobile #x