Victorian Women Were Asked How They Manage Their Men, And Their Answers Are Surprisingly Hilarious

More than 100 years ago, a newspaper called the New York Evening World held a competition. It invited readers to submit their best advice in “managing a husband,” and the winning entry would receive a $20 prize – which would be worth nearly $600 today. You can probably guess that their tips were very different from the marriage advice you’d get today. But you won’t believe just how much times have changed ‘til you read their advice: sisters, you’ll feel thrilled to be women in 2021 instead of 1892.

Don’t Be Too Clingy

A clearly successful wife named Frances Grey had plenty of advice to offer other struggling spouses. She said she managed her relationship by being a steady companion to her husband – but never spending all of her time by his side. Honestly, this advice isn’t all that outdated…

Hands-Off Approach

Instead, Mrs Grey said, “I can’t understand women feeling honored when their husbands remain at home with them.” She let her husband go out solo and have his friends at their abode, too. Turns out, that hands-off approach made him say he “[didn’t] enjoy going out without [her].” To her, it boiled down to the fact that she “always tried to be companionable,” rather than clingy.

A Smile Solves A Lot

As a society, we’ve thankfully progressed past suggesting women smile to win favor with the men around them. In the Victorian era, though, this advice was still considered to be helpful. A woman who only identified herself as “Glad to Be Married” noted this as one of the top marriage-management skills she had learned.

Willing To Endure Almost Anything

The unnamed woman said, “When he reaches home at night after business, a pleasant smile and a sweet kiss greet him.” All of this had helped her to diffuse his “boisterous” behavior over the years. And she said that her grin helped him “[recognize] the fact that [she] was willing to endure almost anything for his sake.” We’d like to think he gave her the same meaningful smile, but we’re not holding our breath…