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 –
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
