The etiquette encapsulates all the rules and good customs that each person should follow in the various public situations, whether they are particular moments in the life of each individual (weddings, parties or mourning), or more common situations, such as dinners in a restaurant, meetings with a friend, travels and gifts.
Origins
The word etiquette, as well as its meaning, derive their origin from the work written by Giovanni Della Casa, published posthumously in 1558 and entitled, precisely, Galateo overo overo de' costumi. In this treatise, which takes the form of a Platonic dialogue between the author himself and his young nephew Hannibal, the Monsignor speaks of all good customs, the rules that had not been written up to that moment on the behaviour and customs that a man of his class had to follow. All the good manners learned during his life as a diplomat and a man of the church, valid, therefore, for a rather wealthy social class of the mid-16th century and which, in their original guise, can now appear a little exaggerated and far removed from common action.
The modern etiquette
Nowadays there is no longer the etiquette as designated by Monsignor Della Casa: the costumes have evolved and, with the passing of time, every advice written by man seems to have been overcome. This, however, does not mean that there are no longer any rules to follow: the label is constantly evolving and manages to combine both new experiences and old uses. If, therefore, its substance changes, the etiquette's aim is always the same: respect for one's neighbour, a pleasant coexistence between individuals and a more harmonious society for the well-being of all.
The etiquette in common life
What does the modern etiquette apply to? Also according to its new meaning, the etiquette should be adopted for every action of daily life, starting from the table: how to eat, how to use cutlery, what to do when you are hosted and how to entertain conversations between guests all fall into this category. There is also no lack of rules for every social aspect, from the relationship with neighbors to various festive events, marriages in the first place: marriage, in fact, is one of the arguments against which most people pay more attention to the label that, instead, is often forgotten in more informal environments.
And if some rules of the etiquette could by now be considered outdated, such as the fact of not being able to say "Good appetite" before meals, others continue (or at least should continue to do so) to be fundamental for harmony and common living.
