Discussions about Russian History > Their World and Culture

Protocol and Etiquette in the Court of the Romanovs

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Sylvia:
Hi!
I am not sure wether this is the right place at this board to ask following question, but I figured it would be best anyhow.

-When N&A held audiences, what were the general rules for the visitors towards them? It must have been very different depending on rank, but were there any rules in general that you had to obey? (For example, no touching, no turning of your back to the emperor etc?)

-Wich kind of people were granted audiences? Did the 'Security' have any saying in theese matters?

-What was the general procedure to be granted an audience for someone not familiar to the IF?

Thanks, you guys.  8)

//Grigorevna

hikaru:
I think that we did not discuss enough matters like that .
I do not remember, if the people in the theater had to applaud to Imperial Family when they appeared in the Royal box?

Svetabel:
I think that applauding was considered too vulgar for the Imperial family. The people only roused and bowed to the Romanovs.

Tsarina_Liz:

--- Quote ---I think that applauding was considered too vulgar for the Imperial family. The people only roused and bowed to the Romanovs.
--- End quote ---


Really?  I know that bowing was mandatory, but why was clapping considered vulgar?  

David_Pritchard:
Dear Liz,

Clapping is a group form of showing aprobation. The Imperial House of Russia did not require the approval of it's subject but rather signs of respect, for example bowing. One would think that clapping would have been perceived by an Imperial Family member as rather insulting, since it is the method in which public performers are thanked by a crowd. Cheering on the other hand, under the correct context would be much more acceptable than clapping.

Since we are discussing the protocol and etiqutte of clapping, I have another example of improper clapping, clapping in a church. At a cathedral I once attended regularly it was normal practice to have a pianist, a string quartet and a half dozen classically trained singers. After the grander music selections were played during the Mass, the parishoners would clap. I was highly embarassed for the musicians and vocalist as well as embarassed for my fellow parishoneers display of collective ignorance. It seemed that the concept that the musicians and vocalists were performing for God escaped those in attendance and therefore did not require nor wanted any public show of approval for their efforts.

David

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