The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

PARLORS

IN MAMA'S HOUSE AND ALL OLD GERMAN AND IRISH HOMES IN
OLD CORK TOWN (DETROIT, MICHIGAN SECTION) FORTY OR
FIFTY YEARS AGO, YOU WOULD NEVER THINK OF RINGING
SOMEONE'S FRONT DOORBELL. YOU AUTOMATICALLY WENT
TO THE SIDE OR BACK DOOR. SUNDAY WAS THE ONLY DAY
YOU WENT TO THE FRONT DOOR AND RANG THE BELL.
YOU COVERED YOUR FURNITURE WITH SHEETS AND NO ONE WOULD
SIT IN THERE EXCEPT SUNDAYS, PARLOR DAY. IT WAS WHAT
MAMA CALLED "VERBOTEN" (FORBIDDEN) TO GO IN THERE.

Submitter comment: GERMAN FOR FORBIDDEN
FAMILY TRADITION AS A GIRL IN DETROIT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

Date learned: 05-10-1965