by JAMILA RIZVI
Dating in 2012 is tough. Men don’t just ask your dad if they can take you out for an ice cream soda any more. No, no, there are websites, and apps, and sexting and profiles and vodka cranberry that comes in a cask.
In the olden days there were rules. Sure, they were rigid rules and those rules were more than a little bit sexist and absurd and frankly insulting. But the rules were there to be followed and everyone knew where they stood.
So let’s imagine that the whole ‘God particle’ thing comes off and we can travel backwards along the time-space continuum to an era where the dating game was simpler. Kinder.
An era where these dating tips from 1938 would come in handy…
(And for those of you who have already reached the centre of the board and claimed all your pie pieces, it can still be fun to reflect on the game that was and fondly remember the rules that helped you win. Smug, aren’t ya? Enjoy.)
'DO YOUR DRESSING in your budoir to keep your allure. Be ready to go when your date arrives; don't keep him waiting. Greet him with a smile!'
Which is your favourite old-school dating tip? Do you think any of these are valid for today’s dating game?
Comments
50 Comments so far
my mother is not a lets say ‘girl friend-boy friend’ fan, she never, ever lets me come in the house with a boy, she knows me im only in grade 9, and yes i date, my mum lets me hug no kissing though of coarse, i tell all my bfs that im not aloud to do anything ‘special’ with him, i would never ever diobey my mother!!! because i love her.
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Wow, I think everyone has missed the tongue-in-cheek message in this article. Lighten up everyone!
These are gorgeously quaint dating tips – maybe on my next date I will follow all of these instructions and report back as to whether the outcome is an improvement on the dates where I am just myself.
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You are still you so there won’t be any change in your dating results
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Do you females WANT to know why you are single or would you rather delude yourselves and stay single?
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If I did I don’t think I’d be asking you, oh lurker on the Internet.
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Roger, I suspect we may be single because we keep only meeting Rabbittes like you! Now, please put your Rabbitte away! I mean, I barely know you.
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Just as I thought. You don’t want to know. Why is that? because you don’t care. What you care about is keeping up with the Jones’s. I a female doesn’t have a man then other females will gloat. So, females make up all these ridiculous reasons why it’s all men’s fault that they are single. Like the fabulous female from Melbourne. She said it’s not her fault she single. It’s men’s. First she said there are no good men. Then she went on to explain that none of the 86,000+ men available to her were good enough. It never occurred to her that she might not be good enough for men.
But, if you don’t want to know that’s fine with me.
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Ohhh Roger! You make me laugh… AT you. You’re so assumptive. I have zero interest in ‘keeping up with’ anyone. I’ve zero interest in remaining unenlightened, as you imply. And I actually DO know why I am single, and yes it is my own fault. I haven’t exhausted my options to meet the right man for me. I am not presently making an effort to meet a variety of new people. I am stuck in my own little routine and circle right now. I accept my current position of being single, and when I am ready I’ll make a change.
I responded to your post because you tone about single women being deluded was flat-out rude. Do you speak to people you meet like that? If yes, you are someone I would avoid.
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Ahhh. So now you reverse your previous statements that it’s all men’s fault you are single. Seems like you change your tune like the weather. Since no one can believe anything you say would that be yet another fault of yours as to why you are single? I know I would avoid you. You females are hilarious. And you can’t understand why men don’t want you.
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Dear Roger’s “friends” (with coincidentally the same posting icon in turquoise pattern as Roger) you make reference to my “previous statements that it’s all men’s fault you are single”? Please explain as I definitely do not internally or verbally think a man (or men collectively) were to blame for my singleness. I’m not hiding behind any excuses. I absolutely confirm and acknowledge my attention has been elsewhere the last couple of years after I ended my last relationship because it wasn’t love – nowhere near. Are you in the legal field by the way? I see your strategy is to throw dirt on my character as to make my opinion seem questionable. By the way, no single person has to account for their singleness to anyone but themselves. I’d never ask a couple ‘why are you still together?’, would I? Though sometimes you do wonder! You seem wounded; I feel reassured that you’ll do me a favour and avoid me – I don’t like heavy baggage:)
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Firstly, what possible relevance has my profession got to do with anything?
Secondly, would you care to explain these comments you made;
“Lordy… do I hear you! I am very seriously considering a tree change / move to another city. I’m from Melbourne where gorgeous smart, sexy woman are abundant, and men who are close or equal to this?! Very few, and spoilt for choice, lucky buggers. Love? I’d love it. Sex? It’s been 2 years this month! Help… let me out of this town. (work and shopping alone are just not ‘doing it’ for me anymore)
I am sure that there are loads of men with loads to offer! It’s just that those men are mostly not single. And I am not a man stealer.
What I was referring to was the smaller pool of SINGLE smart, sexy men to the number of smart sexy women that are available in this city. There is literally a man drought in Melbourne. I have to disagree with you that the number of single men is virtually equal to the number of single women (of similar age) out there.”
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Since you make no explanation on your comments I can take it you have none. To a man this makes you a liar and hypocrite. Not very attractive features to a man but de rigeur for you
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My much older friend said, “Marry the girl you want your daughters to be like”
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These make perfect sense. Rewrite these today, and the basic premise is still valid.
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If you want a common life act common but if you want to be treated with respect then act respectful be considerate and kind to others cut the gossip and Be genuine about what you want the next 20 years your life to be like and dont expect men to be the answer relationships are still 2 to tango – so what you put in you will get out. Nothing wrong with old fashion ways becasue there too many woman that are too common and have showed men that this is a woman is.. what do you expect – if you can milk a cow for free why would you go buy it…..??
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I’m not a cow. I’m a person.
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The catch is that this should apply equally to men. I don’t want some alcoholic who constantly checks himself out in my car mirror, talks only about himself and flirts with other people while out with me (at least initially) either. Why should the onus of ‘classiness’ fall exclusively on women?
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This.
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Hey it works both ways. I mean, I don’t want an alcoholic who messes up my car mirrors, talks only about himself and flirts with all and sundry while out with me either. Why should the onus of ‘classiness’ fall exclusively on women, specially now that men aren’t the sole means of our (social) survival?
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I have a 1970s book on Etiquette and some of the tips are quite helpful.. ie, it’s nice to know how to introduce people to each other, and who should be introduced to whom, and in what order. I know, I know, so old-fashioned but it makes me feel better to know I’m following some “rules”
Also I do not show my vagina until the 3rd date.(That was not in the book)
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I find some of those tips actually really good, and think some young women should try and apply them! Like 1, 6, 9, 11 and 13.
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now, what’s a brassiere?? and a girdle?
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Really??
Brassiere = bra.
Girdle = spanx, but from years ago.
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yes really
thanks for your response
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Most of the examples in the photos are a bit over the top. That being said, I wish some of the old fashioned dating “rules” would return. There is something nice about taking things slow and not jumping into bed with a man you’ve just met after 1 or 3 dates. It’s great getting to know someone first and eventually takes things further. Unfortunately, times have change and most guys don’t want to know if you want to take things slow. Or they want to see other women at the same time as you.
If you’re comfortable with that, that’s great. However many people aren’t and it’s not easy these days to find someone who shares those views.
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My husband chased me for 3 months, 9 years ago. I was scared after 2 years on my own following an extremely abusive relationship. He convinced me in that time that he was genuine, loving and a true gentleman.
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Reminds me of: Women! Know your limits! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LS37SNYjg8w
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I LOVE that clip. It’s so very wrong it makes me giggle. Gold standard vs silver standard? I know! Kittens!
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Haha loved it!! when was that written?? it’s pretty feminist!
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Ha! I love “CARELESS WOMEN never appeal to gentlemen. Don’t talk while dancing, for when a man dances he wants to dance.” Reminds me of Elizabeth & Darcey in Pride & Prejudice.
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Ladies, showing your vagina on the first date will prove that you are a complete hussey. Keep your undergarments on, your legs together and your reputation intact.
Or do the opposite and have lots of fun!
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Call me old fashioned but I actually think it’s a top idea.
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You’re old fashioned
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Lol. Fortunately, there are worse things to be called!
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I love old books like this – it’s amazing reading things from another time. Think of those ads from the 50s – it is gob-smacking to think that ads/ books etc like that truly existed. It is so far from current times! My mother had one from I think around the turn of the century (or maybe it was from the 20s or 30s – I can’t remember). It was supposed to be a handbook of women’s health. The author must have actually been a bit of a pioneer as they were arguing against the use of corsets – they had an amazing drawing of what they thought a women’s insides looked like when they were squeezed in by a corset!
It had heaps of gems like the above though that were hilarious to read – things about how women should behave (towards men, and society in general)! I wish I had it here – I would post some of the things it said!
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If you need a brassiere, wear one.
Such very wise words!
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Classic, aren’t they!?!
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Number 12 is definitely the winner. If I passed out and my date was as unconcerned as he is, I don’t think I’d want him to call again!
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I think he is crossing her out of his “little black book” !
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Ha ha. ‘DON’T talk about clothes or try to describe your new gown to a man. Please and flatter your date by talking about the things he wants to talk about.’
Please.
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I don’t see the problem here? What’s wrong with having some class?
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The accompanying photos are hilarious! If I was dumped for every time I’ve passed out from too much liquor…
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Tell me if I am wrong peeps but I think that the majority of women don’t drink until they have passed out and wouldn’t want a man who drinks too much either.
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I looked at number two and thought she was holding an iPhone.
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Hahaha. I agree not to chew gum with your mouth open – that’s just gross.
And not using the car mirror to apply makeup is just common sense…not to mention it totally ruins your allure, haha.
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Haha and of course it’s the man’s mirror because why on earth would a woman be driving?!
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And of course he must pay for the meal….
Gotta chuck out all the rules ladies, not just a few of them.
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How about number 14: just nod, don’t talk, don’t have an opinion!
What’s horrifying is that is clearly very real … thank God for the feminist movement.
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I love number 12: don’t pass out from too much liquor.
D’oh!
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