A Good Wife Knows Her Duty

This blog is not mine. This is supposed to be a real article from Housekeeping Monthly, circa 1955. Who knows if it's real or not, but it sure is funny. It was a simpler time then. You could hit your children without fear of legal entanglement. You could drink all night, drive home and if you were pulled over, the cops would just pour our your beer and tell you to be careful. You could hate those who were different without society calling you a "bigot" or "racist". Gas was about .20 a gallon and there was no such thing as "date rape". If you sprung for dinner and a movie, she owed you. Whatever happened to the good ole' days when Fonzie ruled the world?
(btw, lest you get the wrong idea, my tongue is in my cheek)


FROM: Housekeeping Monthly May 13, 1955
The Good Wife's Guide

Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have be thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they get home and the prospect of a good meal is part of the warm welcome needed.

Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people.

Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.

Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives. Run a dustcloth over the tables.

During the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering to his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.

Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Encourage the children to be quiet.

Be happy to see him.

Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.

Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time.Let him talk first - remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.

Don't greet him with complaints and problems.