What to do
Everyday guides for everyone
Bendick and Warren
1967
This one looks a bit sad. Highlighting and a few damaged pages make this weed worthy. I am happy to report that this book was sent to the bindery so the ugly cover is in pretty good shape. Those old bindery covers could probably withstand a nuclear explosion. That said, I think 1967 etiquette rules are probably due for some updating.
The phone advice is comically out of date. We are still over a decade from even having portable phones, let alone smart phones. Individual phones were just not a concept. In my high school, if you had more than one extension in your home, you were living the good life. I am also surprised there wasn’t a comment about calling “late” or tying up the phone by talking too long. This was a HUGE issue when I was a teen. If any of my friends called past 10 pm, I was in trouble!
This book was fun to peruse for old time sake, but it is going to be a waste of space for today’s youth.
Mary
PS Scroll down to see Library Manners!
Outdated in details, yes. But wow…imagine if manners were actually cultivated now. And I don’t just mean among young people. Ever try going to a school concert? The parents yak away in the auditorium just like they do in the movie theatre, without any regard for the kids on the stage.
The section on dating is a bit sad. Sure, I appreciate equality between the sexes–not asking for a return to the past. But even my teenager said she wished there were something along the line of rules, or at least manners and expectations, instead of the sad hook-up nature of things today.
If someone [butt] dials your number accidentally, accept [their] apology. [If you butt dial 9-1-1, stay on the line and apologize.]
We always had 2 extensions in the house, one in the kitchen and one in my parents’ bedroom. Livin’ large. A friend was still on a party line a few years after this book was published, with the obligatory nosy old lady who’d listen in.
You knew someone your age was REALLY living the good life when they had their very own phone number! (or even just an extra shared by all the kids) I think I only knew one family who were that well-off, because their father was a fancy specialist doctor and needed to have a phone free at all times in ye olden dayes before call waiting.
For a few years, I had 2 phone lines, because one was for the dial-up computer which hubby needed for work and I needed for Usenet.
It’s still a good idea not to make prank calls or yell at wrong numbers, though. And do go to the front door to pick up your date.
“He should suggest a plan, even if it is just watching television at her house.”
Wow! Now that’s a smooth operator!
“Most museums are free”…! I wish that bit wasn’t out of date.
You were supposed to extend your *right* hand to show you weren’t carrying any weapons, but I’m left-handed. So I could extend my right hand out for a handshake while hiding weapons behind my back with my *left* hand. Think how very sinister that would be, heh heh.
Literally sinister–we got that word from the Latin for “left hand”!
The absolute vagueness of the title is making me laugh.
The cover art might suggest it is a checkers playing guide. OTOH, having an etiquette book that does _not_ say manners or etiquette on it might be useful in places.
I would read this for the laughs then recycle it. If you really need etiquette advice, I would look to Amy Vanderbilt or Miss Manners. The illustrations are horrible!
“I am also surprised there wasn’t a comment about calling “late” or tying up the phone by talking too long.”
In fact, both of these issues are covered on page 22:
“Don’t talk so long that everyone else has to wait…”
“[t]ry not to call…too late at night (after about 9:30).
I think even when this book was written that “guys closer to the curb” thing was out of date.