Apr. 22, 2021

IN THE FIFTIES....WOMEN PREFERRED TO SCHEDULE...SEX.

      In the fifties and sixties, well-dressed women in Arkansas wore expensive, tight, and form-fitting girdles, complete with “straps” to hold up their nylon hose (panty hose were unheard of at that time.)  Of course, the underwear outfit wasn’t complete without a sensibly structured, matching bra.  The ladies who were less “endowed” wore either a padded bra or discreetly slipped falsies inside each bra cups.  Over the undergarments, every “lady” wore a full slip so the outer garment would fit smoothly.  The slip was also for modesty, the mark of a real lady.

 I remember being “locked inside” all those foundations, referred to as  undergarments.  Those were claustrophobic times for me.   The fifties and sixties women, old and young, wanted an hour-glass figure… without humps, bumps, sags, or wrinkles.  Wearing tight-fitting undergarments made that look more achievable. Considering all the time it took to remove so many layers of clothes and undergarments--- spontaneous love-making was almost impossible. 

Besides, the average “lady” didn’t want some man messing-up her makeup, her perfect hairdo, or her expensive outfit.  Like well-dressed Mannequins, traditional women were determined to stay fully-dressed and “presentable” all day. These were the same women who trained their husbands when-and-where love-making would take place and…..how long it would last.When I first married and before I learned to say NO, I reluctantly accepted invitations to play party-bridge several times a month.  One afternoon, sitting at the table with Ann (from a wealthy, old family in Pine Bluff and married to a man from another wealthy old family), I was shocked to hear her say, “God, I just realized today is Thursday--- which means that tonight...  I have to give Al “a little"!  I’d rather visit my gynecologist than have Al’s hands pushing and probing me for one eternally-long hour!”

 Another woman seated at the same table spoke up:  “Ann, I can’t believe you actually plan sex in advance. How do you control how long it lasts?” That was Ann’s moment to shine: “Of course I plan it….I put it on my calendar like all my other appointments. I control how long it lasts by setting the alarm clock.  He better be through by the time that alarm goes off because that's it---I’m finished!  I chose Thursday evenings because Al’s usually at the farm all day and gets home dead-dog tired.  Also, I have my hair done on Friday mornings, so I won’t let Al destroy my expensive and fresh hairdo.

 The other woman, insatiably curious, asked: “You mean Al agrees to only one night a week and one hour?”  Surely he tries to sneak some kissing, petting, or a little touchy-feely on those other days of the week.”  

In response, Ann rolled her eyes, smiled and confidently replied:  “Al’s smart enough to know if he complains or tries any “hanky-panky”….I’ll cut off his weekly supply and he won’t “get any” for months!