The Good Old Days

[Big Mikey]

Don’t you just sometimes long for those days gone by. The following is quoted from the 8th Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader.

“Here’s a bit of advice taken directly from a 1950s Home Economics text book. Believe it or not, this was part of a course intended to prepare high school girls for married life.”

Have dinner ready: “Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal- on time. 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 come home and the prospects of a good meal are part of the warm welcome needed.”

Prepare yourself: “Take 15 minutes to rest so you will be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your makeup, 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. His boring day may need a lift.”

Clear away the clutter: “Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives, gathering up school books, toys, paper, etc. Then run a dust cloth over the tables. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift, too.”

Prepare the children: “Take a few minutes to wash the children’s hands and faces (if they are small) comb their hair, and if necessary, change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part.”

Minimize all noise: “At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of washer, dryer, dishwasher or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet. Be happy to see him: Greet him with a warm smile and be glad to see him.”

Some don’ts: “Don’t greet him with problems or complaints. Don’t complain if he’s late for dinner. Count this as minor compared with what he might have gone through that day.”

Make him comfortable: “Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest he 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, soft, soothing and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax- unwind.”

Listen to him: “You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first.”

Make the evening his: “Never complain if he does not take you out to dinner or to other places of entertainment. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure, his need to be home and relax.”

After reading this, my wife couldn't see the point, I just couldn't see.... but the swelling is going down.

[Whidbey78]

Send hate mail to Big Mikey Originals, 14-8716 Walnut Grove Drive
Langley, BC, Canada V1M 2K2

Just messing with you man. Nice post!

[Downunder Kilt]

Big Mikey, I used to have that poster on my fridge in the shed, that is until I came home one day and found a big dent in the fridge in the middle of the poster.

In answer to who and how it happened came the reply "sorry dear but I was getting your drink ready for your arrival home and thought the fridge was making too much noise, so I kicked it, to stop the noise it was making, not a problem, nothing for you to worry about." What could I say

[EagleJCS]

Hey, my mother was a home ec teacher in the early 70's and actually did some of this stuff when I was younger!




Then her two boys got a little older, she had a little girl, and everything went to heck in a handbasket! We kids had to do our share in cleaning house and helping with other chores before Dad got home. After dinner was homework time. Now, Dad takes her out to dinner more often than not, the house is kept fairly clean (but not spotless), and the clutter is (mostly) his.

[KiltedDixon]

If I showed this to my wife and told her where I got it from, she would not let me wear the kilt again.

Loved the post!

[MacCathmhaoil]

.....and that's when she hit me Your Honor!

[Bugbear]

That ain't the home I grew up in...

[Jock Scot]

Well actually some of us have wives who do that!

[Mike_Oettle]

Jock Scot wrote: “Well actually some of us have wives who do that!”

Which just goes to underline the immense cultural gap marked by the Atlantic Ocean.

[Redshank]

Well actually some of us have wives who do that!

And they do it very well