Monday, December 05, 2005

How to be a Good Wife, 1955



You'll have to click on the above image to read the text. Really, you must, because it is hilarious.

Some of that stuff is so funny, but its also sad to think of how many young hausfraus must have squelched themselves, trying to follow that advice and please their man. Also, most of these tasks must be done during what we call "witching hour," that time when you're trying desperately to get dinner finished and the kids are at their neediest and whiniest, and the clutter that has accumulated all day is at its worst.

I said, jokingly, how ridiculous it would be if I expected Anthony to do all this on the days that I work and he is in charge of the kids and dinner. I thought that by turning it on its head, expecting a MAN to be so subservient, it would really show how ridiculous it is. Instead, I realized how much of that he does do - dinner ready for me, a cold drink (usually a Cosmo!), and the kids bathed and presentable.

But, I can't get him to make dinner wearing high heels.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes Jenn and most Families were larger then!!! interesting though isn't it...xx

Anonymous said...

I liked the third suggestion in the article, which literally suggests, "be a little gay". I have to say, I was married for a few years when I was 21, and I ended up being "a little gay", and it just led to a divorce :p

The Library Lady said...

Where on earth did you find this, Jenn? I told a colleague about it and she couldn't believe it was for real.


I think advice like this explains why the cocktail hour was so popular in the 50s. And why Valium caught on so quickly...

Vetmommy said...

My mother forwarded this to me in an email, and laughingly said she shared it with my dad (she works, while he is retired, so he's the one cooking dinner now).

Leigh-ann, your comment cracked me up!

Anonymous said...

I have to admit that my dinners are consistently mejor!
Also, on the right night, after one or two cosmos, I can be seen wearing altitude enhancing Eccos.
Viva los alegros!

Anonymous said...

Yes, I've seen this in an email a few times, I couldn't believe it was for real at first. It does make me laugh though, especially the "put a ribbon in your hair" and "wash the kids and encourage them to be quiet". I tend to encourage Luke to be extremely noisy when Daddy comes home just to show him what he has missed all day!

Anonymous said...

That's the idea,Paula!! Men always think we have it easy :o)heehee xx