HOW TO PLEASE YOUR WIFE

New Zealand Listener, Volume 3, Issue 62, 30 August 1940, Page 10

HOW TO PLEASE YOUR WIFE

Ten Tips For Husbands

Ten tips for husbands were given by Phyllis Anchor in a talk on "Marriage" in her "Speaking Personally" series from 2YA on August 1. There have been a number of requests — mostly from wives!-that it should be published; and we give here a summary: N idealistic young man I know A me recently by asking my advice on the ever-interesting subject of marriage. He was eager to make his marriage a success, and wanted to know what made a woman contented and happy in her married life. I not only disclosed my own pet theories, but asked six friends to assist me. They could all lay claim to many years of domestic bliss, and after much discussion, we drew up the following ten commandments for the prospective bridegroom to follow: (1) The first rule was that a husband should always try to retain the courtesies he practised whilst on the honeymoon. Women appreciate these little attentions, and are very hurt when a man drops them a few months after the marriage ceremony-which leads us tO w+. (2) A husband should always behave "out of company" the way he does in it. That is, when a man is polite to his wife in front of others, he should maintain that politeness in the home,

(3) A husband should not begrudge his wife a few girl friends. It is ridiculously selfish for a man to expect to sharé every moment of his wife’s spare time. He should remember the hours he spends with his own pals, (4) A husband should not compare his wife’s clothing or cooking with lady friends or their acquaintances. This often leads to bitter arguments and unfavourable comparisons between yourself and the man-next-door! (5) A husband should not delve into a wife’s past. Jealous tantrums will follow which are an insult to intelligent people, (6) A husband should never discuss his wife with friends. Nothing annoys a woman more than to be talked about behind her back. (7) A man should keep his sport in its proper place, whether it be golf, bowls or fishing, and not let it take the place of more important conversation every meal hour. He should not neglect his wife too, much over the week-end, so that she gets known as that "unfortunate sports widow." (8) A husband should not begrudge his wife earning an independent living if she so desires, There may come a time when he'll be glad of her financial assistance. (9) A husband should be scrupulously fair over money matters, and give his wife as generous an allowance as he can possibly afford. Nothing is more stinging to a woman’s pride than having to ask her husband for every penny she needs,

(10) And finally, a husband should learn the great law of give-and-take which goes to make all happy marriages. He should remember his sacred vows to love, honour and cherish the partner he has chosen for life, be tolerant and understanding, and above all, sympathetic in sickness and trouble. Happy the woman who can say her husband fulfills even six or seven of these commandments! Before our little conference concluded, one of my friends added, "Tell the young man from me, he can break nearly all those commandments and still be adored by his wife, if he never utters those abominable words .. . "Why didn’t you do so-and-so for me — YOU’VE NOTHING ELSE TO DO ALL DAY!"