Strange 1954 Etiquette Advice

This “man’s meal” pictured above is from the 1940’s. One would think that advice for what to prepare to win a man’s heart would improve in tens years’ time. We were shockingly incorrect! We at Etiquipedia cannot guarantee the advice of this particular maitre d'hotel below. It’s possible he knew quite a bit about the dining habits of gents, but this seems very questionable. It was a sad day in 1954 when a can of beans and bottle of wine served by candlelight was considered a meal.

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The New Etiquette (from a wire service interview with a New York maitre d'hotel): 

“A can of beans, served with candles and the proper wine, will win the heart of any real gentleman.” – Press Democrat, 1954

This “Man’s Meal” above is brought to you courtesy of American women of the mid-1940's. Made up of a Swiss Steak, Baked or Mashed Potatoes, Cabbage Slaw, Baking Powder Biscuits, and Apricot Pie a la Mode. (Why this is not also a “Woman's Meal” is anybody’s guess.)

To eat this meal, a young man would benefit from the following dining etiquette rules from a 1940’s Fraternity Pledge Manual –

• Place knife and fork on plate when not in use.
• Turn the blade of the knife in. 
• Break a slice of bread into at least four pieces, no less, and butter a bite at a time. 
• Chew slowly and thoroughly.
• Use a napkin frequently. 
• Sit erect. 
• Take small mouthfuls. 
• Hold elbows close to body. 
• Place spoon in proper saucer. 
• Stir liquids briefly and quietly. 
• Place your prongs up on plate. 
• Hold fork in left hand when cutting foods with knife.
• Eat salads and vegetables with fork. 
• Take soup from side of spoon, scooping thitherwardly.
• Converse quietly and not volubly.
• Be natural and at ease. 
• Place napkins at left of plate when rising.

🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia