In the mid-late 19th century would you rather have lived in Victorian England or the American Old West? (80's, years)

[SWFL_Native]

I'm much rather be in the american frontier early 20th century than 19th.. Most of the harshness of daily life had already worn off by then.

[NJ Brazen_3133]

American frontier, more freedom, tavern wenches

[Doughboy1918]

Originally Posted by NJ Brazen_3133

American frontier, more freedom, tavern wenches

Must have been some really horrifying places out there in the wilderness though.

[katharsis]

Neither. I am a woman, and I don't like getting dressed up or being so poor that it doesn't matter (Victorian England), but being a farmer's or rancher's wife doesn't appeal to me either. And being an Old West schoolmarm or spinster would not appeal to me, either!

[easthome]

Originally Posted by katharsis

Neither. I am a woman, and I don't like getting dressed up or being so poor that it doesn't matter (Victorian England), but being a farmer's or rancher's wife doesn't appeal to me either. And being an Old West schoolmarm or spinster would not appeal to me, either!

Only the poor women in Victorian England, the rich women were.......well rich! Ultimately the answer to the question depends on the amount of money you'd have.

[king john IV]

how about the "average" sailor whose home is in Britain?

[webster]

The Royal Navy has never officially banned flogging, though it has not been approved of since the 1870's. The USN banned it before the Civil War. On the other hand, the USN just abolished bread and water as a punishment and was used until recently; the Royal Navy abolished the practice in the 1890's. The rum ration in the Royal Navy was abolished in the 1970's when they did away with Black Tot Day. The USN got rid of drinking on board in 1917. Otherwise, life in either navy was rough, even for the officers; open bridges were still used in WW2 and commanding officers on the North Atlantic would sometimes be so encased in ice, they had to be chiseled out.

[fleetiebelle]

Originally Posted by easthome

Only the poor women in Victorian England, the rich women were.......well rich! Ultimately the answer to the question depends on the amount of money you'd have.

It is interesting how when people fantasize about this they're always going have the servant, not be the servant.

[KathrynAragon]

I voted for the American Frontier but I don't think it was a cake walk out there. I actually much prefer living in the US in the 21st century.

[webster]

Two PBS shows, the 1900 House and the Victorian Slum House capture how hard life was.