1960’s Teen Etiquette and Dating

    

Does Your Dating Need Inflating?

Check Your Etiquette

Etiquette is a leading topic in the letters we get from teen- agers all over the country. So we've come up with an etiquette quiz one you can't flunk! If your answers are far afield or if you can't come to a decision despite nail-biting and hand-wringing, let the answers clue you in. Even if you don't rate an "A" (4 out of 5) the first time around, your new knowledge and improved self-confidence will surely boost your date rating in the future. See everybody's a winner!

1. The party is great and it's still going strong, even though it's after 12 and you promised your folks you'd be home by 12:30. You-

a. Pay no attention. You can always say your watch stopped.

B. Rush out without so much as a farewell.

C. Remind your date of the time; thank the host and explain that you don't want to abuse your curfew.

ANSWER: (C) If you've been told to be home by a certain time, let your date know this early in the evening. Then it's up to you to remind him. Most boys and friends will respect a girl who keeps a curfew. If they ridicule you, you wouldn't want to go around with them anyway.

2. You've been counting on going to the prom with Jane or Jim. Nothing materializes, so you ask Joan or Jack asks you and plans are all firmed up. Then your No. 1 choice lets you know he or she is available. You

A. Immediately break your previous date to be with your first choice.

B. Don't decide yet maybe one of them will come down with the measles.

C. Explain that you've already got a date, smile and say, "maybe next time."

ANSWER: (C) Date breaking is a rating breaker. You your self wouldn't want someone to beg off at the last minute would you?

3. You're at a party and you taste the punch. You realize it's spiked. You don't want to drink.

A. You pretend you don't notice

B. Quietly ask the host or hostess for a soft drink

C. Loudly call attention to the fact saying "What creep could have done this?"

ANSWER: (B) Odds are, before you reach the legal age for drinking, someone will offer you a cocktail or you'll encounter a situation like the one outlined. Best bet: ask for a soft drink, without resorting to unnecessary explanations. Making a big deal is always in bad taste. 

4. You've been invited to dinner. You're famished, the food is delicious and you want a second helping.

A. Wait for the host hostess to suggest seconds.

B. Ask for what's left.

C. Fill up on rolls. 

ANSWER (A) The hostess will always be flattered if you indicate you enjoy the food. However, unless you know more food is available better wait till the plate is passed a second time. Otherwise, the hostess may be more embarrassed than pleased.

5. He or she seemed to enjoy the date. Then he doesn't call again or you call the gal and she says she's busy. You

A. Stay home and mope.

B. Date yourself up three weekends in advance. You'll show them there are other fish in the sea.

C. Try again, then play it by ear. If you're a gal, call him and invite him to a party or the theater.

ANSWER: (C) all etiquette rules to the contrary. What have you got to lose? Staying home accomplishes nothing. Dating yourself up defeats the purpose.

RATING CHART

5-You should be writing this.

4-Still on the beam.

3-Sharpen up your technique.

2- Read up on etiquette

1-You're putting us on!

By Arleen Abrahams, in Youth Services, 1968

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