'Gentleman's country' In the UK, once eating with fingers, turning and drinking, spitting out was natural

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People get frustrated when they see people with bad manners in public places, or when they meet rude people. This is because we unconsciously have an image of "what is ideal society" and that it hates the "non-civilized thing". "Gentleman's country" As an example of British surprise "courtesy", historian Keith Thomas talks about "What is civilization" in the book " In Pursuit of Civility ".

In Pursuit of Civility by Keith Thomas review - manners in early modern England | Books | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/aug/08/in-pursuit-of-civility-by-keith-thomas-review

People who make ruddish remarks or people who eat smelling ones in crowded trains tend to think that people are "savage" "vulgar". However, actual "courtesy" and "politeness" change with the date. According to Mr. Thomas, it is natural for the Lord of the family to release himself before the employee or the current person if it is in the 16th century, and the action "impossible" could be taken in the present age about.

For example, when former England King James I was hunting all day, he said that he wanted to go to the bathroom but he did not descend from the horse and used his servants. Also, when Charles II visited parliamentarians in Oxford, the king's attendant left the king's fist in the corner of a chimney, a coal repository, a basement, etc., the former king bothers to the toilet I can read what I did not have.

Such behavior was seen also at the common people level, and Italian adventurer Casanova was told that it was terribly surprised witnessing how people excrete at the street when arriving in the UK in 2973. It is an act which is seen as "rude" "vulgar" in the present age, it was normal for British at that time.

And it was table manners that surprised the foreigners who visited the UK this time. In modern times it is said to be "the country of gentlemen" and is an Englishman who has a stern image on manner, but at that time he used to eat with his fingers and shared the same cup, burping while eating, eating on a desk I spit out things. French who visited the UK at the same time seems to be uncomfortable watching the group of 20 people drinking beer with one glass. On the other hand, the British who visited France recorded that they were surprised to see people drinking their own drinks using their own glasses.

by Matthew Henry

Mr. Thomas thinks that "ideals for civilization and courtesy" exists in any age. However, the distinction between "civilized" and "barbaric" was mainly to strengthen the hierarchy by sex, class, race, and culture. This is not limited to the UK.

Thomas argues that the concept of "civilization" in "In Pursuit of Civility" is a single pointed prejudice to justify the exploitation of "inferior human beings".

However, civilized "courtesy" also has a positive side. In a time when religious, cultural and political passion was fiercer than in the present age, in order to overcome the "difference" between people and people and to live in harmony in harmony, in order to dialogue without resentment, violence, curse etc etc, That was helpful.

by Burak Kebapci