Dating advice from 1938 guide for single women

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Excerpts from a 1938 dating guide for single women have emerged online.
The snippets give women a glimpse of expectations from another era on a night out, Retronaut reports. 

Advising women not to talk to waiters or to stay silent while dancing because a man needs to concentrate on his moves seems hopelessly outdated.

Don't drink too much: Then and now, getting drunk isn't a great idea on a first date

Don't talk about clothes: 'Flatter' your date by discussing things he's interested in instead 

But other timeless tips about being polite, staying in control and not drinking too much will likely never go out of style.
'Don't be sentimental, or try to get him to say something he doesn't want to say,' could save a lot of time during break-ups, while 'Don't talk about clothes' is solid first date advice. 

 

Instead, the guide suggest that women 'flatter' their dates by discussing topics that the men find interesting.
For women living in the late 1930s, it also seems that public displays of affection were ill-advised.

Dry your eyes: Men don't like tears in public places

Don't talk while dancing: Because when a man is dancing, he needs to concentrate

Make up in private: 1938 dating guide advises women to not smudge their dates with lipstick 

The guide suggests that women avoid 'caressing your escort in public', because 'any open show of affection is in bad tastes and embarrasses or humiliates him.'

Getting dressed in the bedroom to keep the mystery alive and doing make-up in private are good ideas.
But skipping a bra isn't necessarily a fashion faux pas for modern women, and they probably won't need to iron their stockings.
Then and now, it's important to be on time, and greet your date with a smile.

Don't keep him waiting: And greet him with a smile

Just say no to PDAs: The guide advises women to not get too 'familiar' by showing affection in public

Lingerie check: If you need a bra, wear one, and don't forget to iron your stockings

Finally, respecting the fine line between 'tipsy' and 'drunk' is as smart an idea today as it was in 1938. 

The dating book counsels women not to imbibe too much, because 'drinking may make some girls seem clever, but most get silly.'
'The last straw is to pass out from too much liquor,' the guide notes.
Although in modern times women would probably worry more about assault rather than the fact that 'Chances are your date will never call you again!' 

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