The Happy Home in 1953

The smile betrays a domestic regime for the 1950s housewife shockingly alien to that of today.

 Not all bad, but massive amounts of drudgery and presenting oneself immaculately for the husband’s return from work, etc.

All in “The Happy Home – A Universal Guide to Household Management”, a book which will not be gracing my book shelves for too much longer!

(Without wishing to be a blip bore, I am still chucking out/keeping books.) 

This one is a fascinating peek at the 1950s, where the expectations upon the housewife include:

“A shiny nose is not a welcome sight  - even at breakfast”

“Your expression – is it a lively and bright or heavy and dull?

“Before your family returns home in the evening change your frock and renew your make-up”.

“Your fur coat is probably the most precious article in your wardrobe.”

Dilemma:  should the wife accept that the husband “is just not domesticated”?

Advice:  patiently teach him and lo and behold: “he will soon become quite proud of himself when he sees his own success.”

Yuk!!!!