Mid-20th C. Finger Bowl Etiquette

Above is a selection of antique picks and forks for crab legs and lobster, along with a pâté spreader and an individual caviar knife.– “When one has eaten lobster, the finger bowl is quite necessary. Usually a slice of lemon is served with the finger bowl of warm water, for lemon rubbed over the fingers will take away the unpleasant fishy odor.”

• Finger bowls are not often used, but one needs to know what to do when a finger bowl is provided. 
• At very formal dinner parties, hotel-dining rooms, and with sea-food dinners, it is brought to the table before the dessert.
• At the formal dinner party the finger bowl arrives on the dessert plate, a small doily under it, and the dessert fork and spoon resting on each side of the bowl. When it comes to the table, the guest removes the silver, putting the fork at the left of the plate, the spoon at the right. Then he lifts the bowl and doily from the plate and sets them on the left side of the plate.
• The proper way to use the finger bowl is to dip the tips of your fingers in the water, rub them over your lips if you like, then wipe both your fingers and your lips with the napkin. Do it as inconspicuously as possible. 
• When one has eaten lobster, the finger bowl is quite necessary. Usually a slice of lemon is served with the finger bowl of warm water, for lemon rubbed over the fingers will take away the unpleasant fishy odor.

– From Emily R. Dow’s 1957, “Brooms, Buttons and Beaux”

🦞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