I spy with my little eye... the good wife's guide.

Just thought I would share a little piece of reading with you today. But before I do, I want to make something clear: loving the 50's aesthetics doesn't mean I would have loved to live in those years. I am very happy with my birthdate, I wouldn't change it, and would have definitively made a terrible housewife. And here's why:

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



1. 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 been 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

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

5. 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.

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

7. Be happy to see him.

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

9. 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.

10. Don't greet him with complains and problems.

11. Don't complain if he's latefor dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through at work.

12. Make him comfortable. Have him lean back ina  comfortable chair or lie him down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.

13. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing, and pleasant voice.

14. Don't ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and thruthfulness. You have no right to question him.

15. A good wife always knows her place.

3 comments:

  1. I would have been awful too! Haha

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'd have been very tolerant and let my wife talk a bit about her day. Although only if the house was spotless.

    ReplyDelete
  3. C'est horrible....

    ReplyDelete

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