Sunday, November 11, 2012

Separate Entrances

Le Acque della Salute, Waters of Health, old postcard, Livorno
The main entrance of “Le Acque della Salute” (The Waters of Health) thermal baths.
Le Acque della Salute, Waters of Health, old postcard, Livorno
The entrance to the working-class section of the spas.
(1905 postcards digitized from the collection of Antonio Cantelli)

Search labels: spa - postcard
See also: The Waters of Health - In Presence of the King
External links: Social class - Social class in the United States (Wikipedia)
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15 comments:

  1. JackNovember 11, 2012 at 4:31 AM

    That is quite a social commentary, isn't it? In those days, even the working men dressed better than the professional men of today.

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  2. RandyNovember 11, 2012 at 4:57 AM

    As much as I agree with Jack about the mens clothing it would be too much for me to do that everyday.

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  3. Small City ScenesNovember 11, 2012 at 6:53 AM

    I guess I am headed for the working class entrance. LOL MB

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  4. DinaNovember 11, 2012 at 8:22 AM

    It's hard for non-Europeans to get used to the old idea of social classes.
    The old postcards are always so charming.

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  5. VPNovember 11, 2012 at 10:26 AM

    Dina - In Eastern Europe they tried a classless society, but we all know how well it ended.
    Are you aware of a place on Earth where one can't tell the status, if not the class, of a person by his/her dress, manners or speech?

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  6. MerisiNovember 11, 2012 at 10:32 AM

    Speak, pictures!
    Very interesting.

    VP, I dare say that in the United States there are places where you'd have a very hard time to guess spot on the social status by the way people are dressed. And I don't mean places where everyone comes dressed in jeans.

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  7. VPNovember 11, 2012 at 11:34 AM

    Merisi - I didn't say by the dress only, but I am quite sure there are plenty of other places where you can see, hear or feel that easily.
    In the States as elsewhere...
    People mingle more easily now and often do not care about it, but you can't deny that money, education and birth still can make a difference.

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  8. Duncan D. Horne - the Kuantan bloggerNovember 11, 2012 at 2:12 PM

    Charming postcards yes. Times have moved on and we've generally become more sloppy in our dress.

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  9. Lois EvensenNovember 11, 2012 at 2:50 PM

    What wonderful images into the times. My Dad was born in those times: 1904.

    We are at sea for another ten weeks so I am only able to visit your blog when we are in US ports where I can use my Verizon air card. I miss being able to stop in more often.

    Best from Port Canaveral, Florida,
    Lois

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  10. BirdmanNovember 11, 2012 at 4:25 PM

    Never been to a spa, but I'll be taking a shower soon.

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  11. HalcyonNovember 11, 2012 at 4:28 PM

    It's fun looking at these pieces of history. I bet the people in the working class section had more fun! :)

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  12. cieldequimperNovember 11, 2012 at 5:17 PM

    I would like to hope that things would have changed...

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  13. Traveling HawkNovember 12, 2012 at 11:16 AM

    What a major difference!

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  14. UnknownNovember 12, 2012 at 1:42 PM

    Lovely postcards!

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  15. DinaNovember 13, 2012 at 8:55 AM

    I think what I meant was how some Europeans put people into categories, e.g. "She is from the nobility. He is from working class stock."

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