What I’m Doing Wrong

Just a heads up, there is an exhale sale on RueLaLa today. They have some great deals, especially for first time Core Fusion and yoga guests.

My friend Jackie and I often send each other links to comics or websites that we both find funny. We pretty much have the same sense of humor. Today, Jackie sent me one of the greatest things I have seen in awhile. The website Alligator Sunglasses got ahold of a dating guide for single women from the year 1938.

As a 27-year-old single girl in 2010, these images and blurbs opened my eyes to what I have been doing wrong. Yes, I realize that many social norms and expectations have changed in the last 72 years, I think it is safe to say the same basic ideas apply. Let us examine. At the bottom of this post I will review my takeaways from this advice (THINGS I WILL NO LONGER DO ON DATES) as I really have learned a lot. Here we go:

*Note – All photos taken from Alligator Sunglasses

Men don’t like girls who borrow their handkerchief and smudge it with makeup.

AlligatorSunglasses.com Borrow handkerchief

They don’t??!

Don’t sit in awkward positions — and never look bored, even if you are.

AlligatorSunglasses.com Don't sit awkwardly

This is how I was sitting when I read that:

Dori sitting in an awkward position

Hi.

Careless women never appeal to gentlemen. Don’t talk while dancing, for when a man dances he wants to dance.

AlligatorSunglasses.com Careless women never appeal to gentlemen

What does being careless have to do with talking while dancing? Also, I thought that when a man dances he wants to bang.

If you need a brassiere, wear one.

AlligatorSunglasses.com If you need a brassiere, wear one

This one is outdated. The 2010 version would read,

“Whether or not you need a brassiere, wear a leopard one, and then tighten the straps as far as they go to ensure your breasts get pushed together and forced up so high that your cleavage almost reaches your neck, your brassiere shows above the top of your tiny dress and the straps dig in to your shoulders causing deep, painful ridges.”

We all know that.

Don’t be familiar with your date by caressing him in public.

AlligatorSunglasses.com Don't be familiar with your date by caressing him

Does making out at the bar count? Or groping? If that’s the case, I’ve been mistaking humiliation for . . . um, something else.

Men don’t like tears, especially in public places.

AlligatorSunglasses.com Don't be sentimental

I am screwed.

Don’t be familiar with the headwaiter.

AlligatorSunglasses.com Don't be familiar with the headwaiter

I love being familiar with headwaiters! Also, bartenders.

Drinking may make some girls seem clever, but most get silly.

AlligatorSunglasses.com Don't drink too much

Maybe some girls get silly, but I certainly get clever when I drink. The more I drink, the more cleverer I get. I’m drunk right now.

Don’t be conspicuous talking to other men.

AlligatorSunglasses.com Don't talk to other men

I know this one makes sense in theory, but how can I inconspicuously tousle the hair of the dude at the next table? Is there any discreet way to do this?

The last straw is to pass out from too much liquor. Chances are your date will never call you again!

AlligatorSunglasses.com Passing out from too much liquor

Story. Of. My. Life.

These examples really did open my eyes to what I’ve been doing wrong and provided me with a new direction in my dating life. My takeaway from the advice is as follows.

THINGS I WILL NO LONGER DO ON DATES:

  • Borrow his handkerchief
  • Grope him
  • Cry
  • Conspicuously hook up with guys at the next table and/or headwaiters (will only do this inconspicuously)
  • Get wasted and pass out before we even get to my bedroom

Find more advice on dating in 1938 at Alligator Sunglasses. Check back with you all after my half marathon. Enjoy!

42 comments on What I’m Doing Wrong

  1. Lim
    September 28, 2010 at 10:00 pm (14 years ago)

    This is the funniest post ever. EVER. Your comments are hilarious and had me laughing the whole scroll down. Love it!

    Reply
  2. Hangry Pants
    September 28, 2010 at 10:13 pm (14 years ago)

    Oh Dori this made me laugh. I think I am clever when I drink too.

    Reply
  3. Kendra
    September 28, 2010 at 10:20 pm (14 years ago)

    There goes my dating life…

    Reply
  4. Erica Sara
    September 28, 2010 at 10:26 pm (14 years ago)

    cannot stop laughing! i will try really hard not to do any of these again… or maybe i’ll do all of them at once: get too drunk, grope him while dancing & flirt with the man next to me by showing him i’m not wearing a bra?
    just a thought 😉

    Reply
  5. scarlettholly
    September 28, 2010 at 10:31 pm (14 years ago)

    to think that you would even think a relationship had a chance after borrowing his handkerchief. And I actually think that “wear a bra” should be replaced with “stop wearing any form of underwear whatsoever and attempt to get as many people to take pictures of you falling out of cars.

    Reply
  6. Bess
    September 28, 2010 at 10:46 pm (14 years ago)

    These pictures are so funny…I think the modern day version of the handkerchief faux-pas would be “do not take his phone while he is in the shower and go through his contacts and text messages.”

    And this girl is a sissy…who falls asleep when she has a full drink in her hand 🙂

    Reply
  7. Rachel Wilkerson
    September 28, 2010 at 11:43 pm (14 years ago)

    I literally laughed out loud through this whole thing…I really loved the picture of how you were sitting when you were reading it. Hilarious!!

    Reply
  8. Molly
    September 29, 2010 at 12:30 am (14 years ago)

    Nice! This cracked me up! I guess women really didn’t know how to behave back then. Who knew?

    Reply
  9. matthew
    September 29, 2010 at 2:11 am (14 years ago)

    You left one very important thing off of your list of things to not do anymore. This was the last thing Mallory had to learn before I would marry her.

    For when I dance, I want to dance. So be quiet!

    Reply
    • Dori
      September 29, 2010 at 9:28 am (14 years ago)

      I believe you mean, “So be quiet, bitch!”

      Reply
  10. Chase
    September 29, 2010 at 8:15 am (14 years ago)

    HILARIOUS! Your commentary was so funny! =)

    Reply
  11. MelissaNibbles
    September 29, 2010 at 9:34 am (14 years ago)

    I love this! They do this on Jezebel with the old ads and it reminded me of that. I need to remember that when a man wants to dance, he wants to dance. I’m always talking their ears off when they’re just trying to cut a rug!

    Reply
    • Dori
      September 29, 2010 at 9:38 am (14 years ago)

      HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Best comment ever.

      Reply
  12. Laura Georgina
    September 29, 2010 at 9:56 am (14 years ago)

    Shoot. I need to work on all of it or my man might leave me.

    This is one of the funniest things I’ve read in a long, long time! There should also be a rule about not snorting while reading 1938 advice about dating–I would have broken that one, too.

    Rock your half marathon! Can’t wait for the update.

    Reply
  13. Missy Maintains
    September 29, 2010 at 9:59 am (14 years ago)

    Haha love it. Laughing at my desk. People think I am nuts.

    Reply
  14. Di
    September 29, 2010 at 10:25 am (14 years ago)

    Oh. My. God. Hilarious!! The next time I go on a date I’ll definitely make sure not to tug at my girdle. (I’m sorry, my head is almost permanently in the gutter, and that sounds SO DIRTY.)

    And good luck with the half marathon!

    Reply
    • Dori
      September 29, 2010 at 10:37 am (14 years ago)

      I don’t know about you Diana, but when my date is especially hot I have a near impossible time NOT tugging at my girdle.

      Reply
  15. diana@mymarblerye
    September 29, 2010 at 2:02 pm (14 years ago)

    what?! sitting spread eagle and passing out in public is NOT hawt? Thank goodness I have a bf already or I’d be screwed. Fun fun fun blog post!

    Reply
  16. Jasmine @ Eat Move Write
    September 29, 2010 at 3:17 pm (14 years ago)

    That actually made me laugh out loud. That was just fantastic. I’m so tweeting about this. 😛

    Reply
  17. Andrea (@ Puppy Dog Tales)
    September 30, 2010 at 11:07 am (14 years ago)

    OMG..hilarious. I love the picture of the way you sit at your desk. I do that all the time. My parents used to yell at me at dinner when I was younger b/c I sat like that. I still kick off my heels, hike up my skirt and sit cross legged in my office. Old habits die hard!

    Reply
  18. Christina P.
    October 2, 2010 at 4:54 am (14 years ago)

    Hilarious! Thanks for the good laugh.

    Reply
  19. melissa
    October 2, 2010 at 7:24 pm (14 years ago)

    amazing, I love you!

    Reply
  20. bhealthier
    October 3, 2010 at 5:42 pm (14 years ago)

    LOVE this post! I’m gonna go drink till I get silly right now.. 😀

    GOOD LUCK TODAY!!! Can’t wait to see how your half went!

    Reply
  21. Lindsey @ Eat, Read, Run
    October 5, 2010 at 9:22 am (14 years ago)

    haha love this post. Laughed out loud. I can’t wait for your Diva Race Recap!!

    Reply
  22. Jen
    October 5, 2010 at 7:04 pm (14 years ago)

    this is hilarious! such “go figure” moments and to top it off your position while reading. i get it now! haha 😀
    I wonder if people really took/take these words as the be all to end all.

    Reply
  23. Marg
    October 6, 2010 at 10:12 am (14 years ago)

    Love this, I wonder what kind of notes a guy takes after his girl passes out. Modern day it may be updating his facebook page.

    Reply
  24. Marika
    October 8, 2010 at 3:26 am (14 years ago)

    I think what totally makes it are the photos– hilarious.

    Reply
  25. Raya @ Raya Runs
    October 8, 2010 at 5:17 pm (14 years ago)

    This CRACKED me up. I love finding blogs by other people who are single too!! Sometimes I feel like the whole [blog] world is married. YAY!

    Reply
  26. Lindsay | DesignerWife
    October 10, 2010 at 10:41 am (14 years ago)

    HAHAHAHAA! Oh Wow. First time visiting your blog and I’m definitely sticking around after reading this post. So needed a laugh this morning – thank you!

    According to this book, I’d so be screwed if I were still single.

    Reply
  27. Katie
    October 10, 2010 at 2:52 pm (14 years ago)

    I’m pretty sure I’m clever when drinking. And silly, and a good dancer… “Also, I thought that when a man dances he wants to bang.” Hahaha, this was great!!

    Reply
  28. Nancy
    October 10, 2010 at 8:35 pm (14 years ago)

    This was hysterical!!

    Reply
  29. Beth
    November 17, 2010 at 12:31 pm (14 years ago)

    Haha, this is too funny. Although I’m pretty sure drinking makes me more clever, pretty, interesting and even a better dancer 🙂 Its probably the handkerchief thing thats keeping me single….

    Reply
  30. VeggieGirl
    October 5, 2011 at 7:23 pm (13 years ago)

    Just now reading over this – love it 🙂

    Reply
  31. boligalarmer best test
    November 24, 2015 at 7:18 pm (9 years ago)

    Det er også en ide å ikke bare gå for det billigste,
    men få et inntrykk av om selgeren vet hva han selger og forstår sikkerhetsbehovet.

    Reply
  32. Emerson
    November 29, 2015 at 5:37 pm (9 years ago)

    Mens mange mennesker forstår hva tyverialarmer er,
    mye folk ikke forstår ulike der ute.

    Reply

3Pingbacks & Trackbacks on What I’m Doing Wrong

  1. […] September 28, I finally realized why I am still […]

  2. […] content with our plan. Then, on December 31, Jocelyn from Enthusiastic Runner tweeted me about my What I’m Doing Wrong post, saying that she wants to hang out with me. I knew she just meant one day in general, but […]

  3. […] of when I made fun of the 1920′s dating rules — and corresponding images — in What I’m Doing Wrong. While the response from that post boosted my Google Analytics and also my self-worth, it did not […]

Leave a Reply