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Original poster

Things you were told weren't ladylike

164 replies

thinkofablinkingnamewoman · 14/02/2014 17:09

A friend mentioned yesterday that her DH hates her smoking while walking - he says it makes her look like a tart. It reminded me of things my DM (mainly, DF occasionally) told me weren't ladylike when I was growing up. They were:
Smoking outside (clearly some things don't change)
Eating in the street (though for some reason chip shop chips were ok)
Sitting with my legs apart more than about an inch. This seemed to be quite a precise measurement
Talking about football to people I didn't know, even though my DF used to take me. Bizarrely cricket talk was ok.
Did you all have similar?

OP posts:
TheBookThief · 14/02/2014 17:19

Ditto eating in the street

Chewing gum

Sitting with legs apart, should be crossed

ToriaPumpkin · 14/02/2014 17:19

Drinking pints. From a male colleague when I was 20-21. I suspect this was because I could out-drink him.

NewBlueCoat · 14/02/2014 17:19

Drinking pints. My mother was relatively enlightened, given her upbringing, but even she used to buy me 2 halves rather than a pint Confused

I wouldn't know where to start with all the ga my gran used to come out with!

usuallyright · 14/02/2014 17:19

swearing.
When I was 18 a friends boyfriend told me off, said he hated to hear women swear.
I told the cunt to fuck the fuck off.

Gunznroses · 14/02/2014 17:18

Whistling
Sleeping lying on your back.

anklebitersmum · 14/02/2014 17:17

oh, and drinking out of a pint glass a rule I studiously ignore to this day

RedPencils · 14/02/2014 17:17

Can't remember whether eating in the street is considered unladylike or just common. We had plenty of rules about both, and I probably flouted them all.

ForgettableTampon · 14/02/2014 17:16

oh yes, something else:

don't flaunt your cleverness (the Harry Enfield Wimmin Know Your Place bobbins) be modest and self deprecating at all times

Weegiemum · 14/02/2014 17:16

Eating while walking.

Otherwise, my mother seemed to object to everything (me being me).

BabyILoveYou · 14/02/2014 17:16

Drinking out of a can. I cannot do it now!

silverten · 14/02/2014 17:15

I seem to remember my mother saying running wasn't ladylike, when we wanted her to join in games with us.

I suspect this had more to do with stress incontinence than anything else, but she would probably combust from shame if I ever asked her about it.

One of my less pleasant grannys used to rant on about how awful it was that I drank pints.

anklebitersmum · 14/02/2014 17:14

Nail varnish especially on toenails. Confused

ditto eating or smoking in the street

ForgettableTampon · 14/02/2014 17:13

yes to all of the Op incl cricket talk being A1

drinking beer

taking deep draughts of any drink, one ought to sip, even if one's throat is afire

mild curry, not ladylike to want a madras or vindaloo/phal

I look back and think sheesh, what a bloody stupid load of rules

Sparklingbrook · 14/02/2014 17:12

Eating in the street/walking along. And I still think it. Grin