It may amuse you to learn that, in 1982, I was awarded a prize for being the "overall top student" in my school's Grooming & Deportment class. Some of you may need a moment to pick yourselves off the floor and stop laughing. Ha ha yes, very funny.
The prize was the above book. A bible for those young women who were about to go out into the world. Women who were encouraged to choose the largest shoulder-pad available and break through the glass ceiling.
But not before being passed a few time-honoured messages:
And, of course, the most important message. Put down that strawberry sundae, there's a size 6 dress waiting for me. In an alternate universe.
I imagine I was reading this while lying on my dorm room bed eating a bag of mixed lollies from the corner shop.
11 comments:
Oh, man. I'm laughing about the fact your school even had a "Grooming & Deportment class". I thought we were bad with dressmaking and cake decorating!
And please, please tell me that it is an American size 6 that is better than a strawberry sundae and NOT an Australian size 6?
Oh My Good Lord, what an evil book. And also? You had a Grooming & Deportment class? Where did you go to school, Switzerland?
No not Switzerland but it could be argued that, at the time, the school I went to had the same aims as a finishing school (to marry us off to doctors and lawyers).
The same school now is, of course, the epitome of liberal education for the modern woman (my niece is there).
The Grooming and Deportment class was an optional course, at night. Clearly I was regarded as needing it.
Fairlie: Yes, American size 6 (our size 8).
American 6 is an Australian 10. And that makes sooooo much difference to the statement...not!
I'm imagining you balancing phone books on your head and learning to sit without crossing your legs. In fact, probably really useful skills to have learnt...I'm still trying to break my leg-crossing habit.
So, did you pay attention in the "how to marry a lawyer" lesson?
I went to that kind of school too. Got that kind of book as part of the curriculum. Scary thing is ...... we all BELIEVED that stuff back then... which meant that once you'd gained any weight you were a "fattie" for life! Shocking!
Now, those mixed sweeties wouldn't have been a problem if you were "THINKING" thin, M.
That is wonderful and very scary!
that book is kind of making my blood boil.
In a retrospective sort of way.
The crap we are fed !!!
I'd like to kick Shirley Lord in the arse. Twice.
her arse is probably all bony and horrible anyway...
I would so love to read that book. I love things like that.
In fact, I am going to see i I can hunt it down when I get back home.
That is one book I wouldn't mind burning. Even though it goes against my principles to destroy a book. Any book.
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