August 26, 2013
-
Dating Advice from Decades Past
Ah, dating is simply not what it used to be – and that may not be a bad thing. Here are 10 cringe-worthy dating tips for women, circa 1938.
1. “Do your dressing in your boudoir to keep your allure.” Yeah, mystery is great! I mean, you wouldn’t want him to know how you put a shirt on, would you?
2. “Makeup in privacy, not where he sees you.” Maybe you were born with those unnaturally red lips. Make him wonder.
3. “Don’t sit in awkward positions… and if you must chew gum (not advised), do it silently, mouth closed.” Posture is everything, ladies. Leave the slouching and the gum to the girls who will be forever alone.
4. “Don’t talk while dancing, for when a man dances he wants to dance.” Talking is so 1880s.
5. “If you need a brassiere, wear one.” ‘Nuff said.
6. “Don’t use the car mirror to fix your make-up. Man needs it in driving, and it annoys him very much to have to turn around to see what’s behind him.” Man still think red lips natural. Man not like to turn head.
7. “Don’t be familiar with your escort by caressing him in public. Any open show of affection is in bad taste, usually embarrasses or humiliates him.” Geez, do you want people to think you’re dating or something?
8. “Don’t be sentimental… Men don’t like tears, especially in public places.” Let’s review: no gum, no talking, no touching, no crying. Sit up straight, smile, and don’t forget to breathe.
9. “Don’t talk about clothes… Please and flatter your date by talking about the things he wants to talk about.” His interests are just inherently more important than yours.
10. “Don’t drink too much… Drinking may make some girls seem clever, but most get silly.” Please, for the love of all things, don’t get silly.
The full list of tips (and the hilarious pictures that go along with them) can be found here.
What do you think about this dating advice? Does any of it still apply to today’s dating world? What are some other outdated/ridiculous/funny dating tips that you’ve heard?
Comments (17)
I really liked "Don't get drunk and pass out at the table."
I would like to know what dates came with which suggestion. haha. THough I have to say, if someone were to complie a list of dating tips from a stack of well sourced cosmos magazines, I'm pretty sure future go get-em women will all think "What the hell was wrong with the 2010's???"
(My favorite is #6... because it implies women would turn the rear mirrors to the passenger seats to fix their makup. This must be why most passenger seat sun visors have a mirror on the opposite side. lol.)
I believe the comments after the advice were kind of lame.
lmao these are hilarius.. to bad i follow none of these!
I think they all still apply. But I actively seek out gentlemen and strive to act like a lady when I am on a date, or at a bar. I dress and apply makeup privately, not because I want him to think I wake up perfect, but because its not classy to make the effort you put into your appearance obvious. Mystery and allure ARE good things.
1. “Do your dressing in your boudoir to keep your allure.” Yeah, changing in the living room in front of him when he picks you up for your date is the classy route.<li class="item item-1 item-odd">
2. “Makeup in privacy, not where he sees you.” Maybe he would rather appreciate the final product than watch you scrape your teeth and blot.
3. “Don’t sit in awkward positions… and if you must chew gum (not advised), do it silently, mouth closed.” Again... class and ladylike behavior. He isn't taking you out so you can act like one of the bro's.
4. “Don’t talk while dancing, for when a man dances he wants to dance.” Is that so crazy? To shut up and enjoy an activity, or does your mouth always need to be moving?
5. “If you need a brassiere, wear one.” Yeah men love it when every man nearby can see your nipples and which direction they bounce as you walk.
6. “Don’t use the car mirror to fix your make-up. Man needs it in driving, and it annoys him very much to have to turn around to see what’s behind him.” Or, don't mess with his car, period. Respect it as you want him to respect your possessions, not to be used however he may need. Besides- it comes across as vain if you are CONSTANTLY looking at yourself, and that is definitely a current statement.
7. “Don’t be familiar with your escort by caressing him in public. Any open show of affection is in bad taste, usually embarrasses or humiliates him.” This I'm pretty sure refers to "Hanging all over him" which we know is unattractive. He should be the one desperate to touch you, not the other way around. But if you never shut up, chew with your mouth open and dance around with no bra on, don't be suprised when he doesn't want to hold your hand.
8. “Don’t be sentimental… Men don’t like tears, especially in public places.” Yeah, go ahead and cry in the middle of your date and see how that goes.
9. “Don’t talk about clothes… Please and flatter your date by talking about the things he wants to talk about.” Or bore him to death describing all the other outfits you'll try on in front of him, braless. I'm sure he's really interested.
10. “Don’t drink too much… Drinking may make some girls seem clever, but most get silly.” What, men don't like it when you get sloppy drunk on the date they took you to? Well... some men like it. The date rape kind.
Aren't you a lesbian? Why do you care how women act with men? Also- you seem to be appalled because you're looking at the word "Dating" to mean they are in an exclusive relationship. Back then, and to people who currently have not given into the casual sex movement, dating means that you are acquaintances, getting to know each other formally. Typically, the girl on this date is not a beer-swilling, shameless lesbian. So my question is... why do you need to degrade something that has nothing to do with you? Almost like straight people who tell you that you shouldn't get married- no?
I am pretty sure Cosmo still prints advice like this, maybe with more current vocabulary, but conveying the same message. Less is more, and have manners. If you want to be treated like a lady, act like one. It actually DOES work. Even if the man doesn't appeciate your efforts, it only goes to show what kind of girl he actually wants, and what kind of man he actually is.
@oneLBcloser@xanga - Aw, you beat me to it. It's interesting to compare the male and female versions tho.
@oneLBcloser@xanga - Yes, I am a lesbian, but I'm also a feminist - which means that male-centered, male-focused dating tips (like many of these are) make me a little queasy. You bring up good points, though! Class is timeless. Thanks for the comment!
OK, challange accepted. Here is the list translated for today.
1. Don't flash your naughty bits early in your relationship. You will seem cheap and he will treat you accordingly.
2. Be ready to go out, makeup and all, when he arrives to pick you up.
His time is valuable too, don't be rude.
3. Present yourself in a good light.
If you wouldn't cross your legs in a skirt during a job interview, why would you on a first date?
4. Don't try to have a conversation while dancing.
Between the loud music and the fact that you are both probably a little out of breath, it's not going to work well. Talk at the table.
5. If you have more than an A cup or are wearing a sheer top, you need a bra.
(see #1)
6. Don't move the rear view mirror while he is driving, unless you like car crashes.
Use the vanity mirror if you must adjust your face.
7. Keep the public displays of affection to a minimum.
It makes others uncomfortable and can get you arrested.
8. Don't burst into tears on a date.
Men get uncomfortable because they don't understand your drama. If you've suffered a recent serious loss, like the death of your mother, you should postpone the date.
9. Keep the conversation balanced.
If you dominate the conversation, he probably won't ask you out again.
10. Having a little alcohol is ok, but don't get drunk.
If he has to hold your hair while you puke up that $30 meal he just bought you, it puts a damper on the evening. (also see #1)
I think they made sense given the culture and expectations of the time.
Remember the goal in those days was a marriage proposal! It still is theses days when couples get to the point where they are tired of lack of commitment - but much harder to achieve...
@ crgrier@xanga of course I would cross my legs in a job interview, its only elegant. Spreading the legs is the taboo.
@samanthamolton - Well we all know that men are taught dating etiquette practically from birth, and not specifically even for dating- just how to treat women as gentlemen in general. Holding doors, picking her up at the door, paying for things, pulling out the chair, etc. It's all about respect! I quite liked the article though, reassuring =]
@oneLBcloser@xanga - Only some of us were raised to be gentlemen.
@samanthamolton - "Yes, I am a lesbian, but I'm also a feminist"
Has there ever been a lesbian that
wasn't
a feminist? 'Cause I've never seen one!
I only feel the need to touch on a few of these because @oneLBcloser@xanga pretty much hit the nail on the head.
1. "Yeah, mystery is great! I mean, you wouldn’t want him to know how you put a shirt on, would you?"
If men had one attached to them and often saw it in non-sexual situations, I'm sure they wouldn't find penises alluring. Ah, that's right... the vast majority of them don't.
2. "Maybe you were born with those unnaturally red lips. Make him wonder."
This and this look just scream "kiss me", don't they? I think it has more to do with the fact that seeing you put it on kind of negates the point of wearing it, which is to look visually appealing rather than possibly in need of medical attention.
7. "Geez, do you want people to think you’re dating or something?"
With that mindset, the more relevant advice would be to not sit next to a friend or a stranger because the lack of fondling each other might give people the impression that you two are married.
9. "His interests are just inherently more important than yours."
To who? If your audience finding what you have to say interesting isn't more important to you than saying it, you'd be just as satisfied talking at a dog or a stuffed animal.
11.don't twiddle your thumbs because that's a signal to challenge your date to thumb wrestling. if your date loses, he/she will be angry and give you a bloody nose. getting blood all over your face and clothes is unsanitary and unfashionable.
12.don't blow your snot all over your handerchief, then stick it back in your pocket. you're really gross.
13.don't wear a suit and try to tap dance to seduce the ladies because they will throw tomatoes at you for being a wannabe asshole.
14.don't use corn oil to slick back your hair. use sunflower oil
it'll make you the sexiest sunflower at the party
@creativearts2009@xanga - I meant don't cross at the knee in a skirt. I know the cross at the ankle is demure.
I think some of them still apply, even if it's more in the spirit of things rather than the literal meaning. I agree that getting drunk on a first date is generally a bad idea. And it probably is hard to drive when someone else is trying to use the rear-view mirror to put on make-up. And while the way the advice is worded does make it sound like his interests matter and hers don't, maybe there was advice for men from the same time that said not to talk about cars with their dates. While the stereotypes don't exactly fly nowadays, it's still good to try to find something you both find interesting to talk about.
And I don't like it when people try to talk to me when I'm in a loud place. Just dance/watch the band and shut up. I hate trying to guess what you're trying to say. If you want to chat, go to a coffee shop or some place quiet.
Comments are closed.