The Attitude of the Noble Class to the Role of the Social Etiquette in the Russian Empire at the End of the XIX Century

Abstract

Modern historical science tends to study the history of everyday culture. Although despite this fact, social etiquette in the circles of the noble estate of the Russian Empire at the end of the XIX century to this day remains an extremely little-studied topic of the historical heritage of the past. In most scientific papers on this topic, there is a noticeable tendency to contrast secular culture with religious dogmas, which is a misconception by author’s opinion, since for the nobles the secular culture of communication was a «continuation» of religiosity. Social etiquette of the late XIX century is a key component of understanding the worldview of the nobility, its daily life. The end of the XIX century became an important stage in the formation of a new social and legal status of the nobility, which also influenced the cultural component. Analyzing the sources, author concluded that the regulation of etiquette has gradually begun to affect an increasing number of socio-public spheres. The criteria for the formation of secular etiquette were gender, age, social and social status, the degree of kinship and acquaintance of members of society. The relationship between the «subjects» of secular etiquette could be built on the complex of the presented criteria.