Dinner Date Etiquette for 1960’s Teens

A gentleman assists his date with her chair as they leave. He also takes care of the check, leaving a tip for the waitress equal to about 15 per cent of the bill. 

   Etiquette For Dinner Party

Teenagers who are concerned over the etiquette of eating out on their first dinner date will be heartened to learn that only a few simple rules are involved.

Etiquette tips are brought out in an educational film called "Date For Dinner," produced by Kimberly-Clark Corporation. The movie stars a teen-age girl who has been invited on her first dinner date. The movie gives her these hints:

• A gentleman holds the door for the girl and lets her precede him into the restaurant. They both go to the hat check stand where it is proper, if the girl desires, to check her coat. Or, she can keep it and drape it over her chair after she is seated.
• Both wait at the entrance of the dinning room for the hostess to guide them to the table. The hostess goes first, then the girl, and the man follows. Usually the hostess will indicate to the girl the chair that provides the most desir- able view. The girl sits down slowly, giving her escort chance to hold her chair.
• The girl should carry a small purse that rests easily in her lap because she never places her purse on the table. The young man gives both orders to the waitress. A well trained waitress seldom, if ever, asks the girl a direct question,
• If an accident like dropping a fork occurs, it's not the end of the world. It can happen to anyone. The gentleman should call the waitress to pick up the fork and replace it. In any case, the situation should be handled without fuss or undue embarrassment and quickly dropped from the conversation.
• When the meal is finished place the napkin, unfolded, beside the plate. 
• Most boys prefer that girls confine their face fixing to the powder room.
• A gentleman assists his date with her chair as they leave. He also takes care of the check, leaving a tip for the waitress equal to about 15 per cent of the bill. – From the “Date for Dinner” film, 1964

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

1950’s Dating Etiquette for Teens

“Everything was just so. And he knew exactly what to do!” is what teen-age girls love to tell their admiring congregation of girl friends, after they have had the “big dates.” 

In a Restaurant 

“He took me to the fanciest place. Everything was just so. And he knew exactly what to do!” is what teen-age girls love to tell their admiring congregation of girl friends, after they have had the “big dates.” There is no doubt about it, a boy must know what to do always. 

If he accidentally makes a mistake, on the other hand, he need not be ashamed. It is best for him to learn how and what to do before he takes his young girl friend out, however. For instance, when the boy takes the girl to a restaurant, he should know that he must step to the door, open it, hold it open until his girl friend companion enters the food center, then he must follow her in. 

Usually there is a head waiter or waitress to take care of the new arrivals, but if he doesn't get there immediately, the young couple should stand a little to the side and wait. The boy should be ready to tell the head waiter he wishes a table for two. The girl then follows the waiter and the boy again follows her. Should there be no head waiter, the boy leads the way and selects the table, for he is the host of this little party! — Grace Ramquist. 1953

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

Retro 1950’s Etiquette for Teens

As soon as you come to the car, become delicate. If that is difficult, then pretend you don't know how to turn the handle. A boy would feel insulted if you open the door for him. 

In the automobile, don't touch that car door handle, girls! As soon as you come to the car, become delicate. If that is difficult, then pretend you don't know how to turn the handle. A boy would feel insulted if you open the door for him.


It would be embarrassing to have a young man say “Thanks for opening the door for me. I'm too weak.” There is no doubt if he ever said such a thing, he would say it with all the sarcasm he could muster.


Most young men take great pleasure and pride in getting out of their cars, going around the back of them, and then coming around to the side to open the door for their girl friends. Most of the time, it is the fault of the girl if she does not get the proper treatment from the boys. She rushes in when she should have waited.


Girls must remember that it takes time to get around the opposite side of the car, they must be patient! — By Grace Ramquist, 1953

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