Why Victorian Etiquette Was So Extra

We've long made fun of the extremes of Victorian etiquette- everything from how they dress to how they eat. But, is there more to it than just a silly set of rules? It turns out, the middle class had lots of reasons for needing the pile of lengthy manuals. It was just about being fashionable, or acting like the rich. They were developing a system of manners that is still with us today- even if we have left off a few of the more complex parts.