1950's Etiquette Simple Rules To Live By (pure class!)

In the 1950's, Etiquette used to be the glue that held our society together. It enabled people to get on with friends and neighbors without causing offense or harm. Sadly, these days with all of the texting, internet, smart phones, and television this cherished practice has become lost.  This is a list of 8 rules of etiquette that have now vanished. These really are simple common sense rules to live by, hopefully they will inspire you!

1. Talking about Money

 






(tacky tacky tacky) A true lady, or gentleman would have never:

1. A man would never have borrowed money from a lady

2. Borrowed money from a man without security and the intention to pay it back as quickly as possible
3. Discussed money
4. Discussed his possessions or their cost
5. Name dropped: “When I was dining with Mr Rich…”, “I am great friends with Miss Gottabuck”

In this day and age, everybody wants to know what everybody has. Have you ever noticed, that individuals who truly have money never have to talk about it? They possess it, it does not possess them. That is class. Food for thought... There was once a day that we did not try to keep up with the Joneses – because we didn’t know what the Joneses had and no one knew what we had.

2. Discretion in the streets 

This is probably the rule most ignored these days: in the old days, people walking on the street would dress discreetly, talk discreetly, and never do anything which would draw attention to themselves. It was frowned upon to mention names of friends as it is indiscreet. My favorite- The gentleman always walked on the road side of the sidewalk – to protect the lady or ladies from passing traffic. My husband still does this! People would not stare or talk to strangers passing and would never call out to a friend on the other side of the street.

3. Parental Unity

Parents must never disagree infront of the children. It simply can’t be! Nor can there be an appeal to one parent against the other by a child. 

 One example- “Father told me to jump down the well!”

“Then you must do it, dear,” is the mother’s only possible response. When the child has “jumped down the well,” she may pull him out promptly, and she may in private tell her husband what she thinks about his issuing such orders and stand her own ground against them; but as long as parents are living under the same roof, that roof must shelter unity of opinion, for the children. That is how a strong a rule it was! I bet you won’t find any parents today who agree strongly with this one.

4. Dinner

Don't even get me started on proper dinner etiquette. I could write a whole blog just on this! First of all, people used to dress for dinner...  and they would all eat together at the dinner table. Dressing for dinner emphasized the importance of family, communication, and the bond of breaking bread together. It is no wonder that now when we shovel food down our mouths in front of TV, and all eat at different times, that we are becoming a fatter, more self indulgent, entitled race.  Ladies, and gentlemen, do not wear sweats to the dinner table. Remember manners "elbows off!" (the table while you eat) Say please and thank you when you pass the food. Use your napkin, not your sleeve. Stay tuned.. I think I will dedicate an entire blog to this topic in the future!

5. Arriving On Time

This seemed a fitting item to follow the previous: in the olden days it was rude to arrive late. There was no such thing as being “fashionably late”. Lateness was rudeness period. In most houses, if you were invited to dinner and arrived 15 minutes late, you would end up eating alone in the kitchen surrounded by the household staff, only to be allowed to join the party when the polite guests (who arrived on time) had finished and were retiring for the evening’s entertainment.

6. Leaving At The Right Time

We seem to have completely lost the concept of correct timing when it comes to parties now days. People leave when they are bored, when they want to go to another party, when they are too drunk, when they are not drunk enough, the excuses are endless. First of all, a party normally has a guest of honor. It was considered extremely rude in the past to leave a party before the guest of honor, and once the guest of honor left, it was a signal to all that they should begin their own preparations to leave. The loss of this etiquette rule is because we have largely thrown away the concept of a guest of honor. Now days, when attending a party, you really should try to time your exit accordingly. Be careful of leaving too early, as you would appear rude or bored. Not too late, as you would be perceived as a drunkard and tacky. *Remember- as you make your exit, to kindly thank your host or hostess for their hospitality!

7.  Writing Thank You Letters

30 years ago, whenever a person received a gift, they would right a thank you note. This rule was true even if the gift giver was a relative. Parents would sit their child down after a Birthday or Christmas and coach them on their first Thank You notes. The Thank You letter was a genuine written response of gratitude and appreciation for the thoughtful gift that was received. It's sad that now days gift giving has become a virtual obligation, and the idea of writing a Thank You letter is laughed at. (as if it is a waste of time) If you ignore every other item on this list, at least try to teach your children to write Thank You notes, they will have a greater appreciation for the gifts they receive.

8. Opening Doors 

Whatever happened to this one?! In by-gone days, gentlemen would always open doors for ladies. Whether is was the woman they were driving, or a stranger entering a building. It was second nature. The tilt of a hat, a nod, and your door would be opened for you. This practice has now almost completely vanished. Now men try to hurry inside buildings, looking down.. on their cell phones purposefully closing the door right behind them! It's not entirely their fault for this though. They have become conditioned to behave this way over the years... I have seen women actually sneer at men for opening a door for them! Exhibiting rudeness themselves. I think these women seem to be confusing manners with chauvinism. What a terrible cycle this has become. Open a door for me, and I will smile and say thank you!

I hope these simple 1950's etiquette rules help inspire you

xoxo