Spokane Matchmakers

Here’s a look back at some dos and don’ts that show why spending a Saturday night with your sweetheart during the '50s was the cat’s meow.

Are there any old school cats out here?




Making the first move

Apparently, guys were supposed to ask out girls—only “floozies” ask guys out on a date first.

Respond quickly

When someone asks you out, you’re supposed to give an immediate answer to be polite. With today’s online dating, not responding could mean you’re ghosting someone—which is still considered rude.

No excuses

Never break a date without providing a valid reason. Not interested in meeting up with someone? You’re going to have to come up with something better than needing to wash your hair.

Be on time

Women should never be late to a date. When dates arrive, you should be ready to go. That was an etiquette decades ago that still stands today.

Meet the parents

Getting introduced to your girlfriend’s parents can be a pretty big step in a relationship. In the ’50s, though, it was customary for girls to introduce all dates to their parents first.

Don’t place your order

If your date took you out to eat, it was ladylike to tell him what you wanted for dinner so he could order it for you. Sound ridiculous?

Who pays?

Why, men of course. If a woman tried to pay for a date in the 1950s, it would be humiliating to guys. But dating can be expensive these days, so perhaps splitting the check is the nice thing to do or is it?

Don’t wait

Procrastinating on asking a girl out was one of the worst things a guy could do when he was dating.

Ring the bell

Sending an “I’m here” text didn’t exist in the ’50s. When a man picked up his date, he was supposed to go to the front door of her house to call for her. Honking the car horn from the driveway was also considered poor form.

Don her coat

If you wanted to show your date how polite you were, you would help her put on her coat. It would be extra special if you offered her your coat when she didn’t have one.

Open the door

Real gentlemen open car doors for ladies. Really, men are supposed to open any door for their date and let them walk in first.

Curb it

Chivalry might not be considered dead if men still walked between their date and the curb of the sidewalk. Even if you weren’t born in the ’50s,

No kissing

On the first date at least!

Throw away the checklist and stop looking for the perfect person, they don’t exist. Open your heart to possibilities!

The magic in new beginnings is truly the most powerful of them all.