From please and thank you to knowing which fork to use at a dinner party, manners are important. But back when etiquette reigned supreme, there were more than a few dos and don'ts that now seem utterly insane. From women wearing their hair to the *right* way to how to behave at a wedding, we're breaking down the weirdest etiquette advice from the past 100 years.

The British manual, The Habits of Good Society: A Handbook of Etiquette for Ladies and Gentlemen, says that a proper lady should only accept one glass of champagne — anything more or less would be improper.

A woman was expected to look fresh, polished, and composed for her husband at all times. In Victorian terms, that meant her hair must be worn up, except when in the privacy of her bed chamber.

When crossing the street, it was expected that a lady would carry her dress in her right hand, lifted outward to the right. This method ensured that only the appropriate amount of ankle was exposed.

The Victorian rules around courting were especially bizarre, but none more than the era's gift etiquette between a couple. A woman could only give a man a gift if he gives her one first — and even then women should only reciprocate with inexpensive or handmade gifts.

Victorians found it incredibly rude to ask a direct question. Instead of asking someone, "How are you doing?" a polite person would reword the question to something along the lines of "I hope you're doing well."

One of the many rules a child was expected to follow in the age of being seen and not heard is to keep your opinions to yourself. It was considered disagreeable for a child to contradict anyone, for ANY reason.

Calling cards were used in the Victoria era to let a friend or family member know you visited them while they weren't home. Of course, these cards came with myriad rules to follow, including that it was primarily the woman's job to leave the cards.

Experts advised parents to not be overly affectionate with their babies, even going as far as recommending parents not play with them until they're four to six months old, so as not to spoil them.

The purity of thoughts was a big thing during the Victorian era, but even in 1910 parenting experts lead mothers to believe that it was their ugly thoughts that lead to conditions like colic — and an old wives tale said that refraining from said thoughts would lead to a beautiful baby.

It wasn't necessary to RSVP to an invitation, but couples who held ceremonies in the city WOULD send out cards that gained guests admittance to the church on their big day.

Even well into the 1920s, parenting experts like John Watson told parents to never hug or kiss their child and to leave them in their crib as much as possible if they didn't want them to be spoiled. This was meant to build strong character in the child, Watson wrote in Psychological Care of the Infant and Child.

Primarily due to safety concerns, it became improper for a pregnant woman to travel during her expecting months at all, even by car.

A few handy tips for college-bound women were shared in a 1938 issue of Mademoiselle, like have your mom send flowers to your dorm room so that your male peers will think you are in demand. The magazine also suggested turning off the lights in your room at night so that people will think you aren't at home … even if you are.

It was recommended for women to put in at least 100 strokes a night, for a "shining halo," and keep brushing "until your scalp tingles," according to the 1944 etiquette book, Future Perfect: A Guide to Personality and Popularity for the Junior Miss.

According to Vogue's 1948 Book of Etiquette, the ability to have more than a few drinks was not a good thing back in the day. As the book claims, "She can certainly hold her liquor is not a compliment." So does that mean a woman should refrain from drinking or should she just hide how much she's actually drinking from those around her?

Separating the salt from the pepper is a big etiquette no-no. Instead, one should pass the two spices as a couple, even if the person asked for just one.

The phone was a relatively new form of technology in the 1940s. According to expert Bernice Morgan Bryant, proper phone etiquette meant speaking clearly into the phone and adding a smile (even though they can't see you). People should also "never bark into the phone" with phrases like "Who is it?" or "Whadja want?"

It was typical for men to help women into the car, put on their coat, and even order a woman's meal when at a restaurant. We don't call that chivalry, it sounds more like over controlling.

In a house without a maid (gasp), guests should look to the host to serve the meat, and then pass along each plate to the guest seated to their right until everyone is served, according to Emily Post.

Traditionally, the vegetable was known in British society as finger food. However, in Emily Post's 1975 revision of her etiquette book, she suggests cutting your stalk in half before picking it up to avoid, "the ungraceful appearance of a bent stalk of asparagus falling limply into someone's mouth and the fact that moisture is also likely to drip from the end."

According to a film on table manners made by the Emily Post Institute, which features Emily herself, she says croutons are to be sprinkled onto soup, while crackers are meant to be crumbled. Oh, and crackers are only meant to be served with dishes like Clam Chowder or Oyster Stew.

Yes, even salads required strict guidelines. "Try first to cut your salad with your fork. If you find it difficult, calmly pick up your knife and use it," advises Bernice Morgan Bryant in her 1944 etiquette book.

We all know it's impolite to speak with food in your mouth, but Emily Post's advice in this 1947 video is to avoid all conversation and drinks while eating—which seems a bit much if you ask us.

When a man escorted a woman in medieval times, it was on his left arm so that if danger arose his sword arm (right arm) would be free for combat. Although this sounds outdated, it's still considered proper etiquette today and was very closely followed in the 1950s.

It is considered impolite to leave an invitation, especially for a date, up in the air. The proper response was to let the person know right then and there if you can attend or not, which definitely would not fly today in today's world of text invites.

It was unheard of and impolite for a woman to offer money while on a date. The most important piece of dating etiquette during this time was that the man always paid the bill.

The Sears Discovery Charm School was busy turning young girls into refined ladies in the '60s and '70s, teaching them subjects like Exercise/Diet, Voice/Speech, Modeling, Skin Care/Grooming, Make-up, Fashion, and Manners, according to a pamphlet from the school.

It would be considered improper to struggle with a mouthful of food. Any of the table manner etiquette books from the 1950s would tell you to only take one mouthful of food on your fork at a time.

A strong handshake was especially important in the 1960s amongst businessmen. But what is "proper," you ask? Best to keep it elbow level, equal distance apart, firm, and fast.

In the 1960s, practically everyone smoked cigarettes. If you were a man who didn't, odds are you still carried them with you, because that was the gentlemanly thing to do. Everyone had their go-to brand and if a woman was lighting up beside you, it was considered rude not to lend her a light.

In the '50s and '60s, there were a lot of dos and don'ts for a woman to follow, including how to position her arms. In this instructional guide, a woman is advised not to let her hands hang straight to her sides, as it detracts from her silhouette.

Even introducing someone in the '60s came with a rule book. It was considered good manners to introduce the woman first when addressing a woman and a man. If it's two women, the honor goes to the eldest one.

This rule boils down to a matter of hygiene. Would you want someone sneezing or coughing into their hand, then greeting you with a firm handshake? Didn't think so. Your right hand was your "social" hand, while your left hand was your "personal" hand.

Gotta keep that right hand free! It was considered rude and impolite to hold your drink or handbag with your right hand, as your social hand is meant for mingling with fellow party guests.

Although etiquette states that a lady should always be first to enter a room, if the room is dark a man is supposed to enter first.

If you were a guest at a 1960s dinner party, you better have a few words up your sleeve. Anything from a heartfelt thank you to a lovely limerick. It doesn't really matter what you say, according to The Calvert Party Encyclopedia, but it was a major faux pas for your cat to get your tongue.

As we said before, the status quo used to be that a man always paid the bill and a woman never offered. But as times changed, so did this. According to Emily Post, if a woman was in the position where she could pay, it was best that she worked it out at the beginning of the meal, as to not emasculate the man. This rule, as dictated in Post's 1969 edition of her etiquette book, was created to help women and men navigate the liberation movement of the '70s.

In the 1980s, cell phones served as a divisive new technology and with them new rules of etiquette followed. One question on everyone's mind: To answer the phone while you're in the shower or not. The overwhelming response to this question, according to a New York Times piece, is absolutely not.

When computers became commonplace in the '80s and emails went mainstream, it was rude not to sign off on a message. Nowadays a "Sent from my iPhone" usually suffices, but in the early days, people would use the phrases like "electronically yours" as the end of a message.

The custom of sending a bouquet of flowers originated with Charles II of Sweden in the 18th century, but over time a flower's color has become heavily associated with the occasion — such as red roses for romantic partners and white roses for sympathy. Anything sent outside of the norm would be impolite.