The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-05-12
Vices Like
Chance to
GiUe Vices
BY MARTHA LEE

After the marriage VOWS are
spoken and the first bliSsful months
of the honeymoon" are passed,
life settles back into the old hum
drum existence.
The woman begins her daily rou-
tine without the buoyancy that be-
fore made the tasks pleasure, and
the man ceases to be the romantic
lover, and becomes the husband
the "breadWinner.
Somehow, when this stage is
reached, hubby forgets that his wife
is an individual with definite ideas
and opinions, and thinks of her
more or less an an automat who just
served a nice dinner, washed up the
dishes, and should be satisfied to
sit down to a quiet evening with a
paper or book.
Often it never occurs to him that,
in the house all day, absorbed in
her duties, she has not had time to
catch up on her conversation, and
would like a little chat.
Better Opportunity
And why is it that, given the OPP
portunity for her little chat, he is
apt to discount all her arguments
and theories, or worse yet, break her
off in the midst of her recital to air
his own?
Men have a better opportunity to
acquaint themselves with political
problems and theories and current
events than the housewife, through
contact with men who actively are
engaged in the business of making
and solving the problems, and on
current events.
Therefore they are in a position to
discuss more freely and more cor
rectly the different angles. This be-
ing accepted, is it fair for these men
to cut short these wives who are
cropping around, trying to see these
things clearly, and eager for a
chance to discuss them intelligently?
Impressed with a new theory, or
maybe just eager to share friendly
argument with a caller, a man fire.
quently will monopolize the con-
versation, without realizing that he
is treating his wife most unfairly,
and humiliating her by giving her
absolutely no credit for any in
telligence.
Tries to Hold Floor
And too, he forgets that there is
no one so boring as man who re-
fuses to relinquish the floor to
another no matter how well versed
he is in the subject in hand.
Dear Martha Lee-I have a problem, and
I feel like leaving my husband over it.
In our home or out of it he must be the
whole show When we have company he
takes the Floor" and holds it as long as
they stay If I try to speak he embar-
raises me by not paying any attention to
me. He will start talking in the middle of
my subject. never waiting for me to fin
ish. and will talk right on in spite of my
vain Attempts to rescue my topic.
When he acts this way it humiliates me
so that I can hardly keep from crying I
have gone out with him and have not
spoken all evening. he is SO self centered
and egotistical. Other men at least will
listen to their wives. I am thoroughly dis
gusted
The worst of it is this; When company
goes he will sit back and read. or maybe
take a nap. satisfied with his perform
ance. and I can entertain myself the best
way 1 can. 1t makes no difference who
calls, he thinks they came especially to
see him. I am not Jealous but I would
like at least a speaking part.
DISHEARTENED.
1t is very discouraging to have
to listen always. They say that the
woman who is good listener is the
woman who is sought after. If this
is true, they certainly deserve credit,
for of all parts, the role of listener
is hardest. Every one loves to talk.
Every one loves the chance to say
Il think" and no wonder; it is
the expression Of the individual.
There is little you can do, "Dis-
heartened"; if you are sure of your
lines, and are certain your opin-
ions are worth sharing, you can
keep the floor ~ the simple expe-
dent of talking a little louder than
your husband. 1t may be a noisy
battle, but it will be worth while.
If people think it worth while to
listen to you, they will see that you
get your chance to talk, in spite Of
opposition.