“From letters and balls, you can tell people in the 17th century knew more of love than we do now.” Agree or no?

[fonduegirl]

Updates

1 y

Nathan SORT OF soiled this question. Hmph

[MisterWack]

The issue is, what is left from the 17th century are literature, romancing of a simpler time, and reconstructed ideas of what it was like then for a blossoming young kind of love.

I could romanticize the 1950s with the diners and their jukeboxes playing countless rock & doo wop tunes for young couples sharing a milkshake to dance, twist, and jive.
I could romanticize 1930s too or even 1800s. I just don’t think the 17th century was the peak most romantic time in our history compared to now. I don't know.

[SotiCoto]

Not at all. The works of a few notable female writers tend to come from that sort of time period though, and they glorify a certain lifestyle where rich people dedicate massive chunks of their time to frivolous romantic pursuits...
Meanwhile most people were struggling to survive or outright dying of poverty... but that would ruin the appeal of a guy in a frilly coat with multiple estates inviting eligible young ladies to dinner parties.

[petitedollbabee]

Disagree, for the same reasoning as Nathan. So many women back then were sold off and married into a loveless marriage as young girls - usually to much older men - due to power, estates, etc. Most women treated as breeding stock and nothing more. And that was just the higher class. Lower class women couldn’t even read or write, couldn’t dress fancy or attend balls.


It’s easy to romanticise any period in time but you should know, especially as a woman, that it was never that good..

[MrChinaski]

I don't think Roman Legionnari girding their loins was especially great for men either. The West has tried to make progress over time. But it has been slow progress.

[Anonymous]

I agree , people seemed more romantic then.

[Opinion Owner]

thanks for mho

[NathanDavis]

ah yes...

the letters written by the servants to the wife... while the Master shagged the favorite exotic mistress of that summer...

and the balls in which they would parade all the little young girls for the older man to bid on and take whether she wanted it or not...

I'm sure this is someone's idea of love and romance...

[fonduegirl]

You're so cynical bro

[NathanDavis]

we're talking about the 17th Century... right?

one of the centuries in which the actual Patriarchy ruled the entire lives of women... you know this right?

you also know that if they knew how to read and write, and were allowed to send letters... it only meant they were the top of the wealthiest circles... right?

I am not being cynical... I am being realistic, lol

and that was the reality

[fonduegirl]

Okay, history teacher

[NathanDavis]

maybe look a bit more into the 18th Century... after all those Puritan movements and stuff ( I believe) when people actually started to have some sort of choice, and women could actually marry with someone they loved and around age 22... and not when they were 12 year old naive kids

[fonduegirl]

Whatever

[NathanDavis]

loved the fashion though...

[fonduegirl]

Yes, you'd adore me in a ball gown!

[fonduegirl]

And fans, although the language is so difficult

[NathanDavis]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxXusN7Yyb8

[college-student2021]

These days due to algorithms spreading dumb ideas there’s a subgroups such as Incel, “dating coaches” who spread bad advice and a subgroup in both gender who have unrealistic or outlandish requirements for who will be partner. If it wasn’t for the algorithms and internet I’ll say this era has a better understanding since in the past there was a lot of force marriages.


So I’ll say a 50/50 .

[fonduegirl]

They had dating coaches back then too.

Usually, you had to write letters guided by people more experienced than you. These mentors often projected dismay, bitterness and anger on it. If your lover still appreciates it, well, I guess it's good fortune on your doorstep

[college-student2021]

Interesting historical fact didn’t know about that.

[fonduegirl]

It's usually your friends that cannot be trusted. That's one thing that hasn't changed.

[college-student2021]

True, but doesn’t that say more about the friend’s character?

[fonduegirl]

What can I say? Stories need conflict.

In reality, it's highly advisable to not disclose your crush

[fonduegirl]

If you ever have one

[college-student2021]

True, Saying too much can ruin things. Basically no oversharing

[fonduegirl]

Haha yes

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

Team Nathan, yes, or better said: Socio-historical team. We are legion?

[purplepoppy]

This is my nearest city. It's pretty livable if you don't need to do anything or want much.

Yep, its a city

[DonaldDarko]

They knew much less which protected them from the unpleasant truth that we deal with now.

[fonduegirl]

What's that

[DonaldDarko]

That it isn't really about love or romance but reproduction. In the end it's mere survival, not love. Your friends love you but what we call romantic love between men and women is a job. Human sexuality is actually vile.

[Kaneki05]

Of course not. Unless one thinks selling women to wealthy men is love, and that married women were seen as property.

[fonduegirl]

Team Nathan huh?

[Kaneki05]

To think otherwise is romanticizing the past that was never great.
Reality V Delusion.

[fonduegirl]

You know which side I'm on ;)

[Sal_Monella]

Did they even talk about balls back then?

[fonduegirl]

Ballroom dancing, yes

[WonderingManII]

I never heard of it.

[Grond21]

They certainly knew more about romance.

[eagle1951]

disagree

[fonduegirl]

Elaborate