Preindustrial city manners were category-bound and sanctioned by elites

Evidence

In the relative social stability of the preindustrial city, individuals learned about the manners appropriate to their category vis-a-vis other categories simply as a matter of course. Many of these were traditionally prescribed, and deviation (especially on the part of lower-status persons) was likely to be swiftly sanctioned (Sjoberg, 1960:125-26). In Tibetan cities in the past, as an example, “whenever the high political leaders mount or dismount from their horses, ’… riders are to climb down and salute. Pedestrians should stand aside with their hats in their hands and their tongues hanging out’ ” — Lyn H. Lofland, World of Strangers_ Order and Action in…, 644

Categorization

Category: Factual Claims

• CANDY: Tibetan pedestrians had to stand with hats in hand and tongues hanging out when officials passed — vivid image of prescribed deference.

Broader Connections

• Prescriptive etiquette shifted to making the urban individual inconspicuous. #complicates (0.55) — Lyn H. Lofland, World of Strangers_ Order and Action in…, 683
• Cultural value is historically mobile as forms move between elite and popular #complicates (0.50) — Hall, Stuart, Essential Essays, Volume 1, 1010
• The bourgeoisie expropriated popular culture to legitimize its rule #complicates (0.40) — Cedric J. Robinson, Black Marxism_ The Making of the Black…, 1254