THE GOOD WIFE'S GUIDE

The following rules have been taken directly from  an article titled,‘The good wife’s guide’ It was published in Housekeeping Monthly May 13, 1555. 

Women:  I’d like to hear your feedback.

Men: Were those the good old days?

•    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 of him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospect of a good meal (especially his favorite dish) 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.

•    Over 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 for his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.

•    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.

•    Make the evening his. Never complain if he comes home late or goes out to dinner, or other places of entertainment without you. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure and his very real need to be at home and talk.

•    Don’t complain if he’s late home for dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through that day.

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

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

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

•    A good wife always knows her place.

Pamela Vanden Bos, Managing Editor (In 1955, I’d of been taking the 5th and drinking a 5th.)

 

Comments

[Mojo]

I've seen this several times and no matter how many times I read it, it never gets any less creepy.

If I had a wife, I sure as hell wouldn't want one from Stepford!

I feel dirty.

[Elizabeth]

My husband brought this piece home to me. One of his co-workers had cut it out and photocopied it. They thought it was really great. I scowled and handed it back to him, failing to see what was so funny. A couple of these I remember my mom doing, like making sure she looked pretty when my dad got home. But she sure didn't know her "place" or let him talk first!

[Brenda]

Wow, can you imagine? I know a lot of men would joke how good that would be but really I think we are much more interesting, happy and sexy than women back then:)

[Jeannette Studer]

Well, guess what! In 1952, I was told by
a favorite aunt that you never say "no" to
your husband,be in a happy mood when he comes home. And I remember something about
greeting him at the door wraped in Saran wrap. Never mind that I'd spent the day caring for six children and the thought of a
Saran wrapped induced tryst was like a big
"hell no", but of course, never say no to him.

[Donna]

Oh Pam...I am so glad that in 1955, at 5 years of age I had no husband...and that the one I got at age 26 did not expect nor want this kind of "ideal wife". Perhaps the reason I remember my parents fighting so much was that my mom did not believe this hype either. She gave him hell when he stopped at the bar before coming home.
Thanks Pam..for the reminder...we've come a long way baby!

[Veronica]

lol! I read them to my hubby. His response, "Oh man can't we have a time machine."