Etiquette book from the 50s will answer everything you (n)ever wanted to know

[DowagerDuchessOfSass]

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen of mumsnet,
I have recently acquired a copy of a German etiquette book from the 1950s and it has helped me greatly in everyday situations such as "how to eat lobster" or "Can a lady refuse to dance at a public dance?" (Yes, it's a last resort as it's very embarrassing for the gent, but she can refuse. Should said gent try again later he proves "lack of pride and doesn't deserve sympathy")
Should you require (absolute batshit but hilarious) advice for all sorts of situations involving domestic staff, MILs, transatlantic cruises or the rules of flirtation, ask away, I shall provide.

@misscockerspaniel at the public pool? how vulgar!
Ahh, young love. Charming.
Have you already been introduced to said gent? If not, tough. You need a shared acquaintance to introduce you, a lady should never introduce herself and instead needs someone to do it for her. Anything else would be vulgar.

If you've been introduced already, he has to take the lead because "The man-catcher is more repulsive than any womaniser" (see attached graphic). The book is very vague on the question whether "she" can pursue "him", as modern times, yes but man-catching and vulgarity, big fat no. It says there may be situations where it's appropriate for a lady to discreetly pursue a gent, however it doesn't name any.

@FadedRed I love this! Please send more! They should hand out these books to everyone on AIBU

@DowagerDuchessOfSass
Well, yes, it worked. I had the chemistry of this explained to me but it went over my head (as it did in school).
People are constantly throwing out perfectly edible food because it's "out of date" (why buy more than you can eat?) - I take care about chicken, though.

A gem from the chapter on first aid (rough translation):
In case of burns never - what you want to do with the first pain - put your hand under cold water. ... Instead cover the area with flour, or clean oil, or vaseline..." (1953!)

Oh and another hint that actually worked:

To keep your nails from getting dirty either wear a pair of old gloves (you never leave the house without gloves and hat even in summer - my DGM's summer gloves were lovely) or scratch soap under your nails.

@Prokupatuscrakedatus So do I, I am not worried about use by dates, more actual mould. I shall google the chemistry behind it because it's intriguing.

The first aid thing however is...debatable

Oh yes can we please bring gloves back? I (g)love that look. And it sounds way more comfy than soap under the nails.

The summer gloves were very thin / see through / completely useless and just showed:
"..., dass sie auf sich hielt" - basically that she "respected herself?" I cannot translate this, sorry.

I know what you mean, but it's quite specific
I have always been partial to flimsy gloves, fans and so on (Downtown Abbey has ruined my fashion sense)

My DM's father was a tailor and my DM had to advertise the business by wearing the latest (age appropriate) fashion to school. Think perfectly fitting 1950ties outfits.
The instant she was out of sight on her way to school she changed into her best friend's jeans.

Ok Your Grace - see I do know the correct form of address for a Duchess.
Here’s another one from 1938- if you can’t keep a friend, it must be your own fault.

And here’s a good telling off to a lazy teenager. No sympathy here.

Rather brusque advice to someone with depression!

@Prokupatuscrakedatus perfectly tailored 50s outfits, I want them. Probably wouldn't have back then though 

@FadedRed gosh they are harsh! But the one for the teenager is brilliant, probably exactly what's needed

@DowagerDuchessOfSass - the sad thing about that ‘lazy’ 19 year old youth is that this book was published in 1938, so probably written in 1936/7, so young man would most likely have found himself conscripted into the armed forces eotjin a year or two. Probably looking back on his office job and realising how well off he had been then.
I’ll try to find some childcare ones. Bet they don’t pull their punches either.

eotjin -WTF - within*