Shuld I have removed my glove?

Question

Last Saturday I greeted a lady by bidding her good morning and holding out my gloved hand - I had not time to remove it, since her presence was somewhat a surprise, though I did not wish to seem rude by not engaging in a handshake. Nothing was said at the time, but this morning I recieved a note from the the lady's husband informing me that it was considered by her and himself to be most impertinent that I had not removed my glove prior to offering it. According to him, I should either have refrained from a handshake, or at least made apologies for the glove. Who is correct in this unfortunate turn of events?

Answer 1

Yes, shaking hands with gloves on, especially those worn when doing a full body cavity search, is considered horridly bad form.
Charles "That Cheeky Lad"

Answer 2

I'm afraid Snappers old boy that the aggrieved gentleman is very much in the right. To be honest you are most fortunate that he did not remove his own glove strike you about the cheek and bid you meet him in barn in Somerset for some bare knuckled retribution.
A more socialably acceptable turn of events would have involved you saying something along the lines of "Excuse me Madam whilst I remove my glove" then gently taking her hand in yours.
I trust your bottom waistcoat button remained unfastened which is probably what saved you on this occasion.
I urge you to take more care in any future social interactions.
The modern world is a veritable minefield for the young Gentleman.

Answer 3

It would depend on the type of glove. If it was a thick, heavy duty, waterproof glove then best to take it off. If it was just a regular glove then there is no reason to take it off.
And the whole note thing is silly. You might say sorry to put the whole things behind you, but you shouldn't have to, they are being silly and getting upset over nothing.

Answer 4

Typical of the rascal of a husband to take advantage of your obvious discomfort by not having informed you of your right, in just these circstances, "for the gentleman with unfortunately gloved hand may, under exceptional circumstances of social etiquette, fondle the lady in questions´ breast while gently nibbling on her opposite ear." As quoted Paragraph 16 lines 3 to 12, Page 94 of the...

Answer 5

I do believe that in the 17th or 18th century removing the glove would have been considered highly inappropriate and perceived as an advance towards the mans wife.

Answer 6

Your friend is right, a gentleman would never shake another mans hand let alone a ladies with a gloves on, it very rude.

Answer 7

I believe that it was rude of the husband to send you a note. Whether you should or shouldn't have removed the glove is not the issue; the issue is his calling you out for your apparent mistake.

Answer 8

Of course you were surprised to meet this lady in your sauna.
correct procedure should have been
1) remove glove
2)shake hand with slight nod
3)place glove over member and back gracefully away

Answer 9

the only mistake you made was shaking her hand in the first place,you should have nodded or kissed the back of her hand or kissed the side of her cheek her husband was wrong to write you a note ,he should have the manners to say it to your face, but then again he might be a coward,so i would just forget all about it,and ma-by apologise to the lady the next time you see her.

Answer 10

A handshake, you say? Well, as a lady of the realm, my preference is for the gentle touch of the lips on the back of the hand. In this situation it is then not necessary for a gentleman to remove his glove as he would merely touch the tips of my fingers as he bent them to his pleasure.

Now to the note - I trust it was written with a fair hand on the finest of vellum and sealed thereto. If not, then it may be incumbent on you to return said 'note;' via your footman, with the orders that strict protocol should be observed whenever a gentleman decides to chastise another for his lack of courtesy.