How would your family act at an 18th century ball/party?

Buzz Rules

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How would your family act at an 18th century ball/party? Imagine you were granted a wish to attend such an event back in time with your immediate family. How do you think each of your family members would behave at the ball? Do you think everyone would be happy to attend? Do you think your family members could handle a night in 18th century attire/hairstyles? Would you party until after midnight and stay up for fireworks? Would you eat/drink historically accurate food (the tasty stuff only)? Would you dance, take a walk in the gardens, have a memorable portrait done, play games of the times, or engage in the local gossip? If your kids were there, would you be able to trust them to be responsible/respectful at the party or would you have to watch them like a hawk? The wish would let you have a temporary title of nobility and you would be treated as such during the ball. I was thinking how my family would act in this scenario and was curious how everyone else would too. Thanks. I look forward to you responses.
 
Knowing my family, the way they are at most parties, they would only eat and drink and then leave. They wouldn’t bring anything or offer to help clean up. That’s why I quit hosting family get-togethers. I was tired of paying and doing everything for a bunch of spongers.
 

on the other hand...my first wife was born for this type of event and many times we were dragged to such Faux events. Many of my son's birthday parties were just like you mentioned...that is how she carried out her dreams of such an event.
 
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Would you eat/drink historically accurate food (the tasty stuff only)? Would you dance, take a walk in the gardens, have a memorable portrait done, play games of the times, or engage in the local gossip?

so the event that we did close to this was Sylvia Beach in Newport, oregon......
 
I would love to go back in time to do this. I don’t think my family would like to do this, but they wouldn’t embarrass me and would play along
 
Uh, take a look at the privies you would have to use and then ask that question. Also, total lack of sanitation and the fact that most people did not bathe often or at all. In a word, gross.
Nobles did bathe and had outhouses to keep germs (to the degree they knew about germs at the time) away. Some areas in Europe started to understand modern day plumbing in the 18th century. I’m not sure where the idea for modern plumbing started in America but I believe that it happened in northeast first. The poorer you were usually determined your sanitary conditions. :-)
 
I have no desire to celebrate like that. The 18th century was a time for wealthy white men to subjugate everyone else. People were not equals. My people would not fit in with yours apparently.
 
I would not wish to set foot in that time, at least in many parts of the world and most particularly in the southern United States. I am of AA descent so would most likely not be present as a "guest" in the manner you describe.
 
I have no desire to celebrate like that. The 18th century was a time for wealthy white men to subjugate everyone else. People were not equals. My people would not fit in with yours apparently.
I would not wish to set foot in that time, at least in many parts of the world and most particularly in the southern United States. I am of AA descent so would most likely not be present as a "guest" in the manner you describe.
I am sorry for your ancestors suffering during that era. I hope that the thread did not offend you. That was not my intent. I was basing this idea partly on the reenactment balls that happen every year in Europe and North America. People of all races and genders enjoy the modern interpretations today. I appreciate the good that came from that era while acknowledging the struggles from that period as well. In my question I was trying to apply only the good from the era but also in my version all men and women of all races and genders would be equal and of noble rank in this scenario. It’s the music/dances, the fashion, literature, and the architecture from the era that is the focus of the thread.
 
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Ok so basically if we were in the Bridgerton show, Oldest wouldn’t want to go unless there was something in for them, money or future spouse. Youngest would be a little drunk. DH would insist everyone dance and would dance the night away. I would people watch.
 
I am sorry for your ancestors suffering during that era. I hope that the thread did not offend you. That was not my intent. I was basing this idea partly on the reenactment balls that happen every year in Europe and North America. People of all races and genders enjoy the modern interpretations today. I appreciate the good that came from that era while acknowledging the struggles from that period as well. In my question I was trying to apply only the good from the era but also in my version all men and women of all races and genders would be equal and of noble rank in this scenario. It’s the music/dances, the fashion, literature, and the architecture from the era that is the focus of the thread.
No offense taken, and it is an interesting question.
 














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