Re: Taboos, prudishness, etc

From: Bruce Ferrie <bruceferrie_at_...>
Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2005 00:08:19 +0000

Jane Williams wrote:

 >

> For instance, I doubt if the average tula has lavatories situated in
> convenient places.

My "How Would You Survive As A Viking" (wonderful book) depicts a rather dinky little lavatory at a Viking homestead. I'd imagine that, out in the countryside, any convenient place in the wide open spaces will suffice. Just like it does today. :)

> So do the Heortlings (and other Gloranthans) just do everything (not
> just that sort of bodily function) in public and not care? Or is there
> a set of elaborate manners where you "don't notice" certain things,
> the way we ignore the sound-effects from the next cubicle today?

If the houses are much like one big room outside, maybe subdivided by tapestries or cloths instead of walls, then they're probably forced to be a bit less shy and prudish about sex than us modern types*. This probably carries over to nudity taboos and so forth.

As for things that we think are innocuous that they might view as off-putting, I dunno.

Regards,

Bruce

• In a fit of pranksterism, I did once improvise a tune on my guitar in time to the annoyingly loud noises that my downstairs neighbours were producing in their lovemaking. It didn't take long for them to shut the window and do a bit less shouting. :)