How to be a good wife, 1950's and modern day!

I recently read through Good Housekeeping's infamous article from 1955 about how to be a good wife. I added my own little anecdotes about what I think the article should read now.


1950's: Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have be thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they get home and the prospect of a good meal is part of the warm welcome needed.
2012: Call the pizza place ahead of time so your darling hubby doesn't have to do it. Make sure you text him the address so he knows where he's going and remind him to pick up your favorite bottle of wine.


1950's: Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people.
2012: You have just been with a lot of work weary people. Make yourself a cocktail, or have a glass of wine before he gets home. Oh an make sure to change out of your work clothes into your sweats. Take off all your makeup and get comfortable. This will let him know it's okay for him to walk around in his boxers.


1950's: Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.
2012: Be more interesting for him, the cocktail or wine will help with this. Trust me on that one. Oh and refilling your glass will give him the lift his boring day needed.


1950's: Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives. Run a dustcloth over the tables.
2012: Turn the TV on, sports will usually do the trick. That way he'll miss the mess in the house. Or, offer him a beer or three, this should distract him.


1950's: During the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering to his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.
2012: During the cooler months, make sure you dress warmer. Oh and make sure you remind your husband where the wood pile is so after freezing your butt off all day he can light a fire for you.


1950's: Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Encourage the children to be quiet.
2012: Turn off the washer, dryer? Vacuum? Wait, I never turned those things on. 


1950's: Be happy to see him.
2012: Be happy to see each other. Nobody (us wives included) wants to hear how much your day sucked as soon as you walk through the door. If you don't feel like you can be happy? Have another cocktail, it will surely help.


1950's: Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.
2012: Greet him naked (this is much easier after the cocktails). No words or smiles needed. Or, the less raunchy version. Greet each other with a hug.


1950's: Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first - remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.
2012: If you greeted him naked, this tip is not needed. There will be no talking. Pg rated version, listen to each other.


1950's: Don't complain if he's late for dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through at work.
2012: If he's late for dinner leave his dinner outside on the porch for him so it's ready when he gets home. Oh and if he's out all night? Get the locks changed. Or better yet, invite all your girlfriends over, pick up a few bottles of wine and have a better time then he's having.


1950's: Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or lie him down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.
2012: You've already had a few cocktails, why shouldn't he feel as good as you? Instruct him as to where he'll find that gin bottle, oh and let him know that you'll take another...better make it a double.


1950's: Don't ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.
2012: Don't question him on how he installed the surround sound, or the new dishwasher. He likes to pretend he is the master of the household, and no need to burst his bubble. Lets be honest though, we all know who runs the show.


1950's: A good wife always knows her place
2012: Do we ever...