A book about a remarkable historical phenomenon in its development from ancient times to the 18th century. Based on documentary sources and classical texts, as well as memoirs of popular historical figures, the author conducts a kind of excursion through the meeting houses of the states of the Ancient World, the ancient Mediterranean, medieval Europe, the Arab East, China, Japan, looking at the end into the boudoirs of brilliant Paris. However, the narrative is not limited to the stated topic. Other private aspects of social life are also covered, such as marriage, marital sex, laws of attraction, mutual infidelity, favoritism at the royal court, harem, sacrifices in the name of beauty, etc.