Hilarious 1930s Dating Tips for Women

In 1938, a magazine aimed at single women published a list of dating tips that reads like a strict rulebook from another world — because it basically is. Gender roles were rigid, and the pressure on women to appear perfect, quiet, and effortlessly appealing on a date was very real. These tips weren’t meant to be funny. They were dead serious advice for women who wanted to attract and keep a man’s attention. Looking at them today tells us a lot about how much daily life and social expectations have shifted.

The rules covered everything from how a woman should dress to how she should sit, speak, and even feel. One of the first pieces of advice set the tone immediately — a woman should never let her date see her getting ready.

Do your dressing in your boudoir to keep your allure.

Maintaining a polished appearance was a central theme throughout the list. That extended to undergarments, which the magazine had no hesitation addressing directly.

Personal grooming habits also came under fire. Borrowing a man’s handkerchief was considered a serious social misstep, especially if lipstick was involved.

Men don't like girls who borrow their handkerchief and smudge them with lipstick. — Men don’t like girls who borrow their handkerchief and smudge them with lipstick.

Body language mattered just as much as appearance. A woman was expected to hold herself properly at all times — and to hide any sign that she wasn’t having a wonderful time.

Don't sit in awkward positions--and never look bored, even if you are. — Don’t sit in awkward positions–and never look bored, even if you are.

Touching up makeup in the car was also off the table. A woman was expected to arrive already perfect, with no visible effort required.

Don't use the car mirror to fix your make-up. — Don’t use the car mirror to fix your make-up.

Public displays of affection toward a date were frowned upon just as much as ignoring him. The line between too cold and too familiar was apparently very thin.

Don't be familiar with your escort by caressing him in public. — Don’t be familiar with your escort by caressing him in public.

Speaking to other men during a date was also seen as a problem. A woman was expected to keep her social attention squarely on her escort.

Don't be conspicuous talking to other men — Don’t be conspicuous talking to other men

Even conversations with restaurant staff were regulated. Chatting up the headwaiter about past outings was considered poor form and a breach of date etiquette.

Don't be familiar with the headwaiter talking about the fun you had with someone else another time. — Don’t be familiar with the headwaiter talking about the fun you had with someone else another time.

The magazine made clear that a careless attitude toward one’s appearance or behavior was essentially a dealbreaker.

Careless women never appeal to gentlemen.

Emotional expression was another area under strict control. Trying to steer a man’s feelings or push him to say things he wasn’t ready to say was listed as a firm no.

Don't be sentimental or try to get him to say something he doesn't want to by working on his emotions. — Don’t be sentimental or try to get him to say something he doesn’t want to by working on his emotions.

Talking about fashion was also off limits. No matter how excited a woman was about a new dress, describing it to her date was considered a conversational dead end.

Don't talk about clothes or try to describe your new gown to a man. — Don’t talk about clothes or try to describe your new gown to a man.

And finally, drinking too much was treated as one of the worst offenses on the list. A woman was expected to maintain composure and dignity for the entire evening, no exceptions.