from Marriage Manners: A Set of Etiquette Pointers to Help Keep Magic in Your Marriage

by Marjorie Binford Woods and Helen Flynn, c. 1955

It's the inconsistencies of actions and thoughts in women that baffle men. So try to uncomplicate yourself and think and say only what you really mean....Cultivate a set of good bathroom manners right in the beginning. No fair "hogging" the bath, or spreading your belongings all over the place. Respect each other's privacy. Make it a closed-door policy. Star by being wifely right off, by running his bath for him and placing the bath mat and towels in their correct spots.

You'll merit the new title of "wife" from your honeymoon days on:

if ---you refrain from kissing or cuddling up to him in front of people ( or otherwise embarrassing him in public).

if ---when you differ with each other you do so humorously and courteously.

if ---you cultivate little secret signs and phrases, familiar only to the two of you, and keep them working.

if ---you try never to burst into tears over imaginary hurt feelings and make him impatient with you over your lack of emotional control.

Well, it's a good thing Matt and I didn't get married in the 50s. According to this book, I'd be a TERRIBLE wife, breaking nearly every guideline--and so would Matt. I will say that I do put the bath mat and towels in their correct spots, but Matt makes it a point to put them in their incorrect ones. Are we destined for misery? Not if we employ our secret signals!

To the bat cave, Matthew!

Wish you were here (we're having a great old time!),
Wed Dog