Classified Ad --1955

[wheelerwoolsey.livejournal.com]

From the Oregonian, April 18, 1955:

Comments

[wheelerwoolsey.livejournal.com]

On a related note---this article appeared in the Oregonian a year and a half later---November 7, 1956:

[percysowner.livejournal.com]

Cant be kept in stock!!! No, they are not for sale. The second ad is really offensive.

[wheelerwoolsey.livejournal.com]

I know it is offensive. And (perhaps even more offensive) that was written not as an ad--but as a newspaper article. I only posted it because I thought it was interesting to give some context for what kind of situation existed at the time the ad above appeared.

[rick-day.livejournal.com]

offensive? Welcome to the late 1950's

[percysowner.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I was born in 1953, so I lived it.

[rick-day.livejournal.com]

so what's it like on the other side of the age 60 fence?

[jasonbeast.livejournal.com]

Pretty girls get married faster than "the other kind"? Who knew?!

[luke-russell.livejournal.com]

Shocking, I know. What isnt explained is why married woman were not allowed to continue. The mind boggles...

[rick-day.livejournal.com]

because what self respecting man would have a pretty wife that *gasp* is career oriented!

[pikkewyntjie.livejournal.com]

And because her soon-to-be pregnant body would not fit the requirements or the uniform.

[luke-russell.livejournal.com]

That was my thought. Or perhaps the airlines used single stewardesses as an "attractant" to the business flyer? Knowing they were single, the passenger can be free to ......

[rick-day.livejournal.com]

and thus..was perfected the art of 'swallowing'

[artichautka.livejournal.com]

Because marriage leads to pregnancy and pregnancy is icky and embarrassing and best hidden at home.

[rick-day.livejournal.com]

THESE ARE TRUFAX. HE IS A SCIENTIST!

[percysowner.livejournal.com]

In addition to the other reasons given, a married woman wouldn't be seen as being available to enjoy the company of male passengers after the flight. No really. They weren't required or even expected to accept dates, but the airlines wanted the business class traveler to have the illusion that he could score with the pretty stewardess after the flight and a decent married woman would never do THAT according to the mindset of the times.

[luke-russell.livejournal.com]

But it is true. Because we DO live in a sexist world...... and classist, and racist, and nationalist, and sectarianist. There's a lot of work to do!

[rick-day.livejournal.com]

I loved the 'Why they can work to age 60 if they keep their looks and health' comment.

So glad I was only 3 back then..

[tudorlady.livejournal.com]

This is still, sadly, true.

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

Welcome to the 1950s. Please have a cocktail.

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

I have to note that at the time that rather offensive article was written I was all of two months and two weeks old. I refuse to take responsibility for it.

[hannahsarah.livejournal.com]

Well, the last few times I've flown, most of the attendants have been gay men. Now that gays can marry, who will they get to serve the drinks?

What with all kinds of people getting married left and right, civilization as we know it will come to a crashing halt.

OH, THE HUMANITY!