Another little book of wifely charms

This little booklet, which I bought a few years ago for 15 cents, was published in 1948 in Paris, the year I was born.

Conversation.  Allow him to talk and listen carefully.  You may learn something interesting.  Say little...especially about yourself. Don't inflict him--even if he asks for it--with your life story.

If he insists, say the first thing that comes into your head, and break off quickly to ask him about his own childhood.  Carried away by the subject, he will think your silence charming.

The cover says it all: fingers to lips.  Don't talk, just listen to the man talk. Silence is charming.

What he likes. Naturally, everything that increases his material comfort: a well-run home, good meals at the proper time (which is when he wants them!), well brought-up children, accurately-kept accounts, his personal belongings in order--everything connected with the household, for which you have accepted responsibility, under control.

He also has an urgent need of moral support. You are the person who has to approve of all he does. 

Listen carefully when he tells you about his work, his worries, and all that interests him. If you don't understand very well, listen with your heart rather than your ears....and don't interrupt him....

You may not always be in sympathy with one another.  Love is everything to a woman; it fills her entire life. But...man also wants to read the paper, listen to the news on the wireless, have a hobby. Don't make too many sentimental demands on him.

The subtext on every page: Men are more important and smarter.  Devote your entire life to fluffing up his ego and denying any shred of intelligence you might have. But  don't expect any unreasonable attention in return:

Don't expect much sympathy when you are ill. He will most likely tell you not to think about yourself. Hard advice--but good. 

I remember reading all these same sentiments (written by men, no doubt) in magazines for teenaged readers in the Sixties.

Don't think of yourself, ever.  Don't presume to know anything or have interests of your own.  Never make any demands on the Man.  Don't speak--or if you do, speak quickly and change the subject. Approve of all he does. (And if you don't, act like you do.) Be a good girl, invisible and compliant.

No wonder it's taken years of collective therapy to dismantle the effects of this kind of advice.