One of he examples of mid-sixties training was this little booklet, I suppose handed out during my high school years. It was provided by a local department store to insure proper behavior and decorum in the troubled youth of the time.
Read on.
Here’s How!
For High School Students
Compliments of Miller & Rhoads
Sponsored by Woman’s Club of Highland Park
We hope this book will be of help to each of you, but it’s only a beginning. After all, it’s you who set the standards. These are Suggestions, NOT rules.
Let’s Begin At Home
All of us feel that frank and eloquent family discussion of problems as they arise, or better still, as they are foreseen, can work wonders.
Driving
1. Plan in advance with your family for use of the car. (Where are the keys?)
2. Driving is a privilege, not a right. Road laws were made for your safety. It’s common sense to obey them. (Common sense?)
3. As a passenger you have as much responsibility as the driver for safety. (If you don't like it, get out and walk)
4. Your record of traffic violations will follow you through life. (So I've been told)
5. When young people begin talking everyone has the same answer: they hate speeding, as it is dangerous to themselves as well as to others. It is a violation of the law, and let’s face it – speeding and reckless driving are a pitiful display of childishness on the part of the driver. (But when you feel the roar....)
6. Be sure you have had adequate training, that you are constantly alert, that you are physically fit. All of us agree that alcohol and gasoline don’t mix. Think of your responsibility to others. (What is that flashing light, throw those beer cans out the window)
7. When you are driving a car you are in control of power that can take you where you want to go or leave you dead on the highway.(The same is true of life)
When Telephoning Remember (pre-cell phones)
1. Consideration of others on a party line. (Party line?)
2. What time is it? Others may be at dinner, doing homework, or it may be their bedtime. (Hopefully it is her parents bedtime so we can talk for hours)
3. Doctors, as well as others, must keep their line open. (What teen is going to call a doctor?)
4. Much can be said in fifteen minutes if you have planned what you want to say beforehand. (And much more can be said by simple sighs over hours of silence)
Radio and T.V.
Consideration is the keynote. (Give me the remote)
Don’t let radio or television interfere with your or others’ homework. (Has anyone heard of multi-tasking?)
Allowances
The family should decide together the amount of the allowance and what expenses it covers. The income of the family should be taken into consideration. (If you can't get it from your parents, steal it)
Baby Sitting
1. It is only fair that older children stay at home with younger children while parents have a little fun. Most of us will do our share gladly, and fair parents don’t ask too often. (What are those parents doing?)
2. Advance planning saves disappointments and makes for harmony. (Oh come on)
3. Babysitting for others is a responsible job. If you are engaged I a telephone conversation, you can’t hear the baby cry. Parents should be consulted if you want to entertain while baby sitting. When yo are employed, your time is your employer’s. (Some of the best time I had was with girls who were babysitting)
Clothes and Borrowing
1. Borrowing without asking isn’t borrowing. (It is stealing)
2. Eliminate borrowing except when absolutely necessary. (Like you don't have clean underwear?)
3. Promptly return borrowed articles in good condition. (Don't worry about those stains, just bury it in the drawer under some socks)
Entertaining
1. A party at home is fun and inexpensive. (Especially if you have a 3-watt blue light bulb)
2. Spontaneous parties are fun, but every good hostess should have games and cookies handy for such. (or have a 3-watt blue light bulb)
3. Planning a party – (was most of my teen year's goal - to see who, where, and when the next party was going to be)
DO:
A. Make out a guest list. (or make out with your guest list)
B. Inform your guest of the type of party so that they may dress accordingly. (loose clothing a must)
C. Decide on refreshments:
1. What kind (whatever you want)
2. How served (it's in the kitchen, go get it yourself)
3. When served (anytime you come up for air)
D. Set up definite hours for party (between now and then or whenever the parents kick you out)
DON’T:
A. Tolerate crashing (who are those guys?)
4. Guest (their obligations)
a. Don’t put off answering invitations (Sure, I'll probably be there)
b. Be considerate of household furnishing and property. The Golden Rule applies here! (Sorry Mrs. Johnson about your mother's vase. We just got a little rough)
c. Go along with the plans of your host or hostess. (We'll just turn down the lights and...)
5. Chaperones – they are a must (Creepy)
Dating
Let’s jump in with both feet and discuss going steady. First we ought to have our definition straight. Some young people think of going steady as merely friendship and have many steadies during the year. To most of us going steady means that we are either in love or think we are, and we take it seriously. There are two schools of thought on this – each very firm.
For Going Steady:
1. Going steady clarifies your ideas about the type of person you may later want to marry. (Marry??)
2. If you see a lot of the same person you find common interests in meeting the usual ups and downs, which may help to build an enduring love. (Ups and downs??)
3. Going steady gives security. (Marry????)
Against Going Steady:
1. Since you change as you grow, you may hinder your chances of choosing well if you limit yourself to one person in your teens. (Called playing the field)
2. It is easier to date one person than to exert yourself to meet and know others (the easy way out).(It is also lonely when you can't find a date)
3. Dating many different types of people will help develop your character and ideas of choice. (And you don't have to get into discussions about getting married)
Dating At Home:
We are all more relaxed at home and therefore have more fun. Girls, it helps a boy save his allowance. Boys, it gives you a chance to see a girl around her family. (No, get out of the house and away from the parents. Sure it's cheap, but you can't make out with her parents watching)
Dating Datails:
How many a week?
1. The answer depends on your studies, your health, and our pocketbook. (Health?)
2. Most teenagers agree that dates should be saved for the weekend. (or whenever you can sneak out of the house to be together)
3. On Sunday nights most of the churches have something for young people that is fun and ends in time for a good sleep before Monday. (Even ran one of those things on weekends, but didn't get enough sleep)
Curfew:
Consider Mom and Dad! Work out a schedule with our own family and stick to it, letting them know where you are going, with whom, and agree on a reasonable time to return. You in turn should know where to reach your parents in case you need to. (I'm gone, but I'll be back sometime, maybe)
Parking
Should you park?
1. People were shy about speaking on this subject, but once they started talking they all agreed – the answer is NO! (Oh come on, why do you think they invented back seats?)
2. Both boys and girls invariably like best those who never suggested or agreed to parking. (Then why do girls get into the cars??)
3. No mater how innocent you are, it looks bad. (If looks could kill, we'd all be dead)
Dress
What shall I wear on a date?
1. All of us like the four fundamental principles of simplicity, appropriateness, cleanliness and neatness carried out in a person’s clothes. (and this from a department store)
2. Don’t be ashamed to ask what to wear if you are not sure. (don't wear garters)
Drinking
1. Everybody agrees that drinking for boys and girls in high school is out. (but no one told the boys and girls)
2. Girls are especially emphatic on this subject; they don not like to go out with boys who drink. (Sure, did you ever see American Graffiti? )
3. Finally the state law says: In Volume I, Code of Virginia, under Par. 4-62 – It is a misdemeanor to sell alcoholic beverages to any person under 21 years of age. (I'll forge an ID for you if you pay me)
Another Gold Rule
Use tact and consideration concerning dates.
1. Boys shouldn’t call up at the last minute or ask bluntly, “What are you doing tonight?” They should have something planned in advance. (Believe me, the boys have something planned in advance)
2. Girls should always be thoughtful in turning down a date. (Burn your bridges and they won't come back)
3. Good manners, formed in early teens, reflect throughout life fine qualities of character. (Huh?)
Pomptness
Nothing is more irritating that waiting for a late-comer. Try not to cause others this annoyance.
1. Budget your time. Try to allow enough time to extras that often come up. (Don't be too eager)
2. Girls should be ready when their dates call. (But they never are, it is part of the plan to get grilled by the parents)
3. Let others know when you are unavoidably late. (or if a better offer comes along)
4. It is courteous for the boy to find out the time his date is expected home and comply with these wishes. (I'll try)
Never Underestimate the Power of A Woman
1. Girls can set a standard for the boys they date by not putting up with any foolishness. (But I'm serious. I'll respect you in the morning)
2. Girls like to look up to a man whose character is even stronger than his arm. (Has she heard about testosterone?)
A Word to Parents
1. Parents should agree, in advance, with their sons and daughters upon a time to be in at night to save misunderstanding. (or wait up with the porch light on)
2. Parents should provide money for emergencies that may arise, for instance, telephone money for notifying parents of change of plans. (They will never see that money again)
3. Although parents should set an example, you people agree that they want to accept responsibility for their decisions and behavior. They want to deserve the confidence they expect to be placed in them. (Trust me with your daughter)
And in Farewell
Many of he misunderstandings between generations come form a failure to talk it over.
1. Most parents are eager to help us with our problems. (yeah, right)
2. Teachers, ministers and older friends are complimented when asked for advice. (Don't bother me)
3. The standards we set for ourselves are basically those that we inherited from Mom and Dad and there’s nothing like talking over history with those who made it. (So that's what wrong with me)
These booklets supplied as a public service by Miller & Rhoads.
While I am not sure it made any real difference in my life at the time, I kept it for over 40 years in an old musty footlocker, in a crumpled envelope, just for this occasion of viewing it again.
Have things changed? One thing has, the Miller & Rhoads department store is gone.
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