Real Dating Advice From A 1938 Magazine. Omg, Lol The Pics.

#2. If you need a brassiere, wear one. (Said no man, ever)

1938 was a very different time to be alive. The depression was winding down but WWII had not started yet. Recreation was talking, reading and radio. People listened to radio shows because there was no tv — television broadcasting wouldn’t start until 1939

Visual media was wildly popular

Because of course. Can you imagine having nothing visual? No tv. No internet. People went crazy for any visual media they could get their hands on. Movies and magazines were crazy popular.

A movie ticket was 25 cents, which was an hour’s work if you made minimum wage, because minimum wage was 25 cents in 1938.

Most magazines were 10 cents, though there were a few priced higher, and many came out weekly instead of monthly.

Hello Click Magazine!

In February, 1938, a new magazine hit the news stands across America. It was called CLICK PHOTO PARADE. It stood out because it was mostly photos.

In an era where listening to the radio was the only entertainment in most homes, people ate it up for the pictures.

Most magazines were mostly text with feature photos very much like magazines today. CLICK was different. So many photos!

They didn’t just write about Bette Davis in “Jezebel” they had photos. Pages and pages of photos. The entire magazine was photos with bits of text.

The first issue was pretty racy for the era…

The first issue hit the stands in February 1938, with some pretty racy content for the era. Photos of white slavery, skimpy glam shots of actresses, and articles with titles like “How to Sleep with a Stranger” and “Washouts — The Kind of Girls Men Won’t Date”

The magazine also had some helpful dating tips for unmarried women.

Because, of course.

1. Do your dressing in the boudoir, not in front of him. Be ready when he gets there. And smile.

I don’t know, but he looks pretty interested to me. Way more interested than he’s going to be on the date, I can promise you. But dude, that eyebrow…

Do your dressing in your boudoir to keep your allure. Be ready to go when date arrives; don’t keep him waiting. Greet him with a smile!

2. If you need a brassiere, wear one!

If you need a brassiere wear one? Said no man ever. Who wrote this?

If you need a brassiere, wear one. Don’t tug at your girdle, and be careful your stockings are not wrinkled.

3. Makeup in privacy, not where he SEES you!

For you kids, she is not checking social media. That’s a compact. It has a mirror at the top and face powder in the bottom. It might even be a purse sized mirror.

Apparently, she blotted her lipstick on his handkerchief and he’s very upset. Because he needs it clean. To blow his nose in. And then put it back in his pocket. On a date. With a girl he likes. Christ. lol.

Men don’t like girls who borrow their handkerchief and smudge them with lipstick. Makeup in privacy, not where he sees you.

4. Don’t sit like that. And don’t look bored.

Never mind how she’s sitting — I want to know what he just said to put that look on her face. Or wait. Did he let one fly? Because he’s got that one cheek up, and the look on her face does not say bored. It says ew. I don’t know what that look on his face is. This one cracks me up.

Don’t sit in awkward positions — and never look bored, even if you are. Be alert, and if you chew gum (not advised) do it silently, mouth closed.

5. Don’t use the car mirror to put on lipstick

I don’t know who wrote this, but they got the problem wrong. It’s not turning around to see what’s behind him that annoys him. It’s having to re-adjust the mirror. Re-adjusting mirrors is a pain. Why can’t she use the compact?

Don’t use the car mirror to fix your make-up. Man needs it in driving, and it annoys him very much to have to turn around to see what’s behind him.

6. Only talk about what “he” wants to talk about

See how bored he is? That’s because SHE is talking. What’s worse, she is talking and it’s not about him. I guess it’s okay for the man to look bored. Not looking bored is only a rule for women. See rule #4.

Don’t talk about clothes or try to describe your new gown to a man. Please and flatter your date by talking about things he wants to talk about

7. Oh god, no emotions. Especially, don’t cry.

See that look on his face? It is not compassion. I don’t know what she is crying about, but he doesn’t much like it. Maybe she told him more than she should have? Because his face screams TMI. (too much information) Women crying was always a problem for some men, it seems. Also? I think she has his handkerchief again. lol.

Don’t be sentimental or try to get him to say something he doesn’t want to be working on his emotions. Men don’t like tears, especially in public places

8. Men deserve your entire attention!

Did you know in the 1930s, men usually ordered for both of them in a restaurant? He would ask her what she wants, and then he would order for both of them. That’s because women weren’t supposed to talk to another man when they are with a man. Even if it’s the waiter. Taking to another man makes the man you’re with grumpy. As you can see.

Don’t be familiar with the headwaiter talking about the fun you had with someone else another time. Men deserve, desire your entire attention

9. No PDA. It’s embarrassing!

Ladies, no pda. Especially, do not stick your finger in his ear. Why is she doing that, anyway? She’s just going to need his handkerchief again.

Don’t be familiar with your escort by caressing him in public. Any open show of affection is in bad taste, usually embarrasses or humiliates him.

10. Don’t talk when you’re dancing.

There’s an old joke about blondes being able to walk and chew gum at the same time. Apparently, in 1938, it was the same thing with men, except they couldn’t talk and dance at the same time. Trying to talk to a man while he’s trying to dance is careless. Apparently. Also, I think she’s drunk.

Careless women never appeal to gentlemen. Don’t talk while dancing, for when a man wants to dance he wants to dance

11. Don’t talk to other men OR drink too much.

Don’t talk to other men. There. They spelled it out. Especially, do not fondle the hair of the man in the booth next to you. The only worse thing that grabbing the head of some stranger in the next booth would be to get drunk and pass out. He’ll never call you again. And it’s your own fault.

Don’t be conspicuous talking to other men. The last straw is to pass out from too much liquor. Chances are your date will never call you again

12. And don’t get drunk. Have dignity, woman!

I’d probably want a drink if my date had that look on his face, too. I don’t know what the waiter is doing. Maybe he’s telling them to pay up and get out. Apparently, getting drunk isn’t dignified.

Don’t drink too much, as a man expects you to keep your dignity all evening. Drinking may make some girls seem clever, but most get silly

Know what I noticed?

A lot of that advice sounds pretty familiar. Put your bra on, girl. You should smile. Talk about stuff that interests him, and remember that crying makes him uncomfortable. Oh. And be ready when you said you’d be ready.

Weird, huh?