Etiquette of the period:
Impeccable manners and spotless reputations were the order of the day during the Regency Era. Whether acknowledging someone while crossing the street or making introductions at a ball or country dance, specific behavior was dictated for each situation. But the rules and codes of behavior for men and women were different. Below are just a few examples.
Etiquette for Women
If unmarried and under the age of thirty, a woman was never seen accompanying a man without the presence of a chaperoned. A lady also never called upon a gentleman. From the book entitled Regency Etiquette: The Mirror of Graces dating to 1811, "...at no time ought she (meaning a lady) volunteer shaking hands with a male acquaintance..."
Etiquette for Men
Gentleman were free to travel as they pleased and call upon young ladies of the house. While ascending a flight of stairs, a gentleman would precede a woman; While descending a flight of stairs, a gentleman would follow her. This allowed for a ladies ankles to always be hidden from a gentleman's eye.
Other musing from the book, Regency Etiquette: The Mirror of Graces:
"...your dress should correspond with the station you hold in society."
"..the occasional use of rouge may be tolerated- only tolerated."
and, of course, "Excess is always bad.