Etiquette

Overview

Behaviour is dictated by class, setting, and presence.
Correct behaviour maintains status. Incorrect behaviour exposes it.

• Higher class → control, restraint, indirect

• Lower class → direct, functional, immediate

👑 Royal / Elite Etiquette

• Speech:

  • slow, precise, indirect

  • never raise voice

• Movement:

  • controlled, deliberate

  • no sudden actions

• Interaction:

  • never approach uninvited

  • hierarchy always observed

• Eye contact:

  • measured, not prolonged

• Emotion:

  • concealed

• Presence:

  • always composed

  • never uncertain

• Errors:

  • socially remembered

  • rarely corrected openly

🏛️ Upper Class (Mayfair / Belgravia)

• Speech:

  • indirect, layered

  • meaning often implied

• Interaction:

  • introductions expected

  • familiarity restricted

• Body language:

  • minimal movement

  • controlled gestures

• Dress:

  • flawless, expected

• Behaviour:

  • judgement constant

  • reputation always in play

• Errors:

  • lead to exclusion

  • corrected subtly

🏘️ Upper-Middle (Kensington / Professional)

• Speech:

  • clear, polite

  • less indirect

• Interaction:

  • structured but more open

• Behaviour:

  • respectful

  • slightly more relaxed

• Errors:

  • noticed

  • socially corrected

🏢 City (Professional Etiquette)

• Speech:

  • direct but formal

• Interaction:

  • purpose-driven

• Behaviour:

  • efficient

  • minimal social display

• Errors:

  • affect credibility

🎭 Soho

• Speech:

  • open, expressive

• Interaction:

  • fluid, mixed

• Behaviour:

  • socially adaptive

• Errors:

  • tolerated unless disruptive

🏭 Working Class (Southwark / East / Docks)

• Speech:

  • direct

  • fast

• Interaction:

  • immediate

  • informal

• Behaviour:

  • practical

  • status less formal but understood

• Errors:

  • handled directly

☠️ Slums

• Speech:

  • blunt

  • reactive

• Interaction:

  • immediate

  • survival-driven

• Behaviour:

  • unpredictable

• Errors:

  • escalate quickly

Cross-Class Interaction Rules

Lower → Higher

• Must show restraint

• Must not initiate beyond role

• Must speak clearly and briefly

• Must not assume familiarity

Failure:

• immediate judgement

• removal or exclusion

Higher → Lower

• Controlled, minimal interaction

• Often indirect or dismissive

• Rarely prolonged

Same Class

• Behaviour aligns with environment

• Hierarchy still exists within class

Presence Rules

• You must appear like you belong

• Hesitation draws attention

• Confidence must match status

• Clothing must match environment

Speech Rules

• Upper → indirect, layered

• Middle → clear, structured

• Lower → direct, functional

Body Language Rules

• Upper → minimal movement

• Middle → controlled

• Lower → open, reactive

Mistakes & Consequences

• Elite areas → silent judgement, exclusion

• City → loss of credibility

• Soho → ignored unless disruptive

• Working areas → corrected directly

• Slums → escalate into conflict

Environment Overrides

• In elite spaces → elite rules apply

• In working spaces → direct rules apply

• In mixed spaces → adaptability required

Key Rule

• Behaviour defines status as much as appearance