“I have a desire to bite my nails but I have a bigger desire not to bite my nails. While it is difficult not to bite my nails it is much more important that my nails look acceptable if I am to get dates. I would rather have dates than bite my fingernails.” Such a bigger goal may help you break any habit that offends people you want to impress.
Girls probably are more concerned about the impression they create than men. Here is some advice to women that one investigator, a man, offered after making a study of the habits of women:
—Don’t wear styles that men consider queer.
—Don’t neglect the romantic illusion. Men are disillusioned by such things as hair curlers, awkward positions and postures, unattractive sounds in the throat, making up in public.
—Don’t fail to answer a man, and promptly, when he addresses you; he may feel slighted by inattention.
—Don’t nag a man. Men flee to office, club, other women—anywhere but where the nagger is.
—Don’t tell off-color stories or use coarse language. Most men resent them in women.
—Don’t show jealousy. All men abhor a jealous woman.
—Don’t compare your male companion unfavorably with another man.
—Don’t giggle, shriek or otherwise be loud to attract his attention.