greetings everyone.
Posted by P. Bingham on April 16, 1998 at 03:07:57:
In response to Two answers for the price of one..., written by Greg on April 14, 1998 at 22:03:06
I've something to really confuse the issue. Anyone remember that little British habit of greeting eachother with the kiss on the lips? Here is a reference to it from Lawrence Stone's book (AGAIN)
"Another indication of English attitudes is that foreign visitors from the late 15th century to the late eighteenth centuries noted with astonishment and shock the freedom with which it was the custom in England for persons of different sexes to greet each other by a kiss upon the lips. Visiting England in 1499, Erasmus found it a most attractive custom: 'wherever you come, you are received with a kiss by all; when you leave, you are dismissed with kisses; you return, kisses are repeated. They come to visit you, kisses again; they leave you, you kiss them all round. Should they meet you anywhere, kisses in abundance; in fine, wherever you move, there is nothing but kisses.' In 1620 it was confirmed that 'for us to salute strangers with a kiss is counted civility, but with foreign nations immodesty'. By the early 18th c, there were some doubts about the legitamacy of the practice, for in The Spectator a country gentleman, 'Rustic Sprightly', asked for 'your judgement, for or against kissing, by way of civility or salutation'. But the habit died hard and at the end of the 18c, it was still 'the form of salutation peculiar to our nation.'
So perhaps those two love birds were only greeting each other?
Patricia
- As time goes by Greg 01:54:56 4/18/98
(2)
- getting near another's mouth. P. Bingham 23:53:57 4/18/98
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- correction! P. Bingham 23:56:16 4/18/98
(0)
- correction! P. Bingham 23:56:16 4/18/98
(0)
- getting near another's mouth. P. Bingham 23:53:57 4/18/98
(1)
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