Just some thoughts...
Posted by Lou on January 04, 1998 at 12:40:55:
In response to Question from a newcomer, written by Lee on January 04, 1998 at 11:32:55
Hi Lee,
I've always wondered this myself. What did people do before the age of TV, Video and the Web? I think people in any time period were fairly resourceful at finding things to amuse themselves with, just as we are. I often imagine though that the men occupied they're time by reading (the newspapers probably took quite a bit of time!), playing board and card games and when in the company of others, conversing about politics and sport. There was also the management of their property and investments. They still had to make money somehow!
Women, as we see in most of the JA adaptations busied themselves with needlework painting, reading, and practicing their musical talents (for those times they would be able to exhibit them). I love the fact that women are usually shown spending a lot of time gossiping about the neighborhood, which must have taken quite alot of time and energy, indeed! Also, I'm sure much time was spent with their children...perhaps more than we spend with them today, unfortunately.
Of course, these pursuits were limited to the "well off". The lower classes in society had to work for a living and I'm sure it was a constant struggle just to make a decent life for themselves.
All in all, I think their communications skills (social skills) must have been very good, since the most lively times of their lives must have been spent with company.
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