Rules For Courting

The #1 rule for courting would be:
-Long friendship
-Short engagement
-Long marriage

May 21, 1868

by F. Tailleur

My dear readers, I know I have been covering various types of etiquette, but this week I want to take a slight departure from doing so. I say slight since in many ways what I will write would still be considered etiquette, but also wise advise to the young ladies of this town. It is to them to whom this column will be for, though I do hope the male readership will take it for what it is: advice to the women, who may so desperately need it. I have noticed many young women in this town trying to catch the eye of one man or another and so it is to them this week's words are written.

Many young ladies should take care in not becoming 'love sick' or 'smitten' with every silly idler who wears a fashionable coat, is tolerably good looking or pays them attention. For it is these women which their erstwhile love pays them flattering words, causing the women to flutter about them like a moth to a fatal lamp and allowing themselves to be charmed into a certain misery.

It is because of the above, that every woman should follow the rules for courting, in not being alone with a gentleman before they are engaged. A proper escort should be with a lady whenever she is in mixed company. Especially if their are attractions.

A gentleman may offer his hand to a lady only to assist her over rough spots or to help her into a carriage. A single woman shall never ride alone in a closed carriage with a man who is not a relative of hers.

All of these rules of courting and the ones I covered in past columns are for the protection of the young ladies and their virtue. I beg once more of the young ladies please do not fall prey to the smooth talkers and silk tongued devils that be laying their snares for you. Until next week, my fellow readers.

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-The Rules For Women

by Ellen Fein and Sherrie Schneider

1. Be a "creature unlike any other."
2. Don't talk to a man first (and don't ask him to dance).
3. Meet him halfway but don't always go dutch with him on a date.
4. Don't call him and rarely return his phone calls.
5. Always end phone calls first.
6. Don't accept a Saturday night date after Wednesday.
7. Always end the date first.
8. Don't stop dating him if he doesn't buy you a romantic gift for your birthday or Valentines day.
9. Don't see him more than once or twice a week.
10. No more than casual kissing on the first date.
11. Don't tell him what to do.
12. Don't expect a man to change or try to change him.
13. Don't open up too fast.
14. Don't date a married man.
15. Be easy to live with.
16. Don't stare at men or talk too much.
17. Don't live with a man before marriage (or leave your things in his apartment).
18. Even if you're engaged or married, you still need the rules.
19. Do the rules even when your friends or parents think you're nuts!
20. Be smart.
21. Take care of yourself.
22. Don't discuss the rules with your hair dresser.
23. Don't discuss the rules with your therapist.
24. Don't break the rules.
25. Do the rules and you'll live happily ever after.
26. Date only those who love you.