I bought a little book today  “Don’ts for Wives” written by Blanche Ebbutt and originally published in 1913.  It’s one of those fabulous little books designed to help the new housewife adjust to married life.  Full of ridiculous advice that is now so politically incorrect that it’d have Germaine turning in her grave (Oh, I know she’s not dead, but I can’t stand the annoying bitch, so I like to pretend… shrug).  Anyway, some of it is positively absurd, some of it strangely relevant, but here’s a couple of these priceless little tidbits of ‘timeless wisdom’  🙂  ….

 
Update: There’s one for ‘him’ too…have to get that!

Don’t forget to wish your husband a good morning when he sets off for the office.  He will feel the lack of your goodbye kiss all day.

Don’t refuse to entertain your husband’s friends on the ground that it is a ‘bother’.  Nothing pains a man more than finding only a cold welcome when he brings home a chum.

Don’t omit to pay your husband an occasional compliment. If he looks nice as he comes in dressed for the opera, tell him so.  If he has been successful with his chickens, his garden or his photography, compliment him on his results.  Don’t let him have to fall back on self esteem all the while for want of a little well directed praise.

Don’t talk to your husband about anything of a worrying nature until he has finished his evening meal.

Don’t open the door for yourself when you husband is present.  He would open it for a lady guest, let him open it for you.  Besides, your boys will not learn the little courtesies that count nearly so well by precept as by example.

Don’t hesitate to plan out large expenditures with your husband .  Usually a woman is very good at small economics, but a man has a better grip of essentials in spending large amounts.

Don’t pose as a helpless creature who can do nothing for herself; don’t drag your husband away from his office to see you across a street; don’t profess to be unable to understand Bradshaw, or to take a journey alone.  It is true that the weak clinging wife is often a favourite, but she is equally often a nuisance.

and this absolute pearler is my favourite…

Don’t let you husband wear a violet tie with grass green socks. If he is unhappily devoid of the colour sense, he must be forcibly restrained.  🙂

God bless your cotton socks, Blanche.
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