Origins and Early Development of Etiquette

The beginning of etiquette is rooted in the most ancient periods of human life and grew out of the conditions under which people then lived. Primitive man, when he met another man and wished to show that he had friendly intentions, he dropped his weapon and extended his empty right hand. From this primitive gesture of friendly intent developed the custom of extending a friendly hand in greeting.

Two business men shaking hands via Wikipedia

Etiquette represents the survival of those rules and regulations that have been tried and tested over a long period of time, and have been found satisfactory. The earliest customs were probably based on fear and the instinct for self-preservation. A study of mankind’s developing manners is therefore the study also of developing civilization.

The rise of civilization brought about more and more stable social conditions, and as civilization advanced, the graces and refinements of living were gradually developed. Standards of conduct were maintained and handed on until they became, through continued use, a code or system of acceptable behavior, a familiar, established etiquette.

Greek and Roman writers and orators were much concerned with matters of civility and polite conduct. Plutarch wrote treatises on nobility. Horace, Juvenal, and Seneca are only a few of the many classical writers who contributed to the literature of courtesy and good social behavior.

The word etiquette applies to any accepted code of conduct or procedure for any organization, group, or society, and particularly to the formal rules of ceremony observed in court or at official functions. Certain professions, such as medicine and law, observe a special code of etiquette based on ethical procedure, a code designed to maintain the dignity of its member and for their protection. In conclusion etiquette in its broadest sense must be recognized as having sprung from the hopes and aspirations of the human race, and to be suggestive of much of mankind’s  perpetual struggle for self-improvement and for a better way of life.