The Ideal Woman

...for their fear of ridicule. Here, Madam, is an example:

"One day a beautiful woman was invited, in the company of one of her admirers, to the theater. She arrived after the appointed time, wearing high heels. Before she had taken three steps her heel broke, so the young man called the driver of the car and ordered him to take them back to the beauty's house so that she might change her shoes. On her return to the theater, the first act was drawing to a close. Hardly had they taken their places when she dropped her handbag, and the poor fellow had to stretch himself out on the floor to gather up the belongings scattered here and there without disturbing the others. It is only natural that after an evening like that, this young man would not venture to invite this belle of his a second time."

A man detests a woman's trivial chatter, believing that his own talk surpasses all other talk — and he has that right; the woman has only to listen, with wonder and reverence. The ideal woman, in a man's eyes, is she who contents herself with a smile and a nod of agreement, and who does not talk too much.

Madam, remember always that a man is nothing but a little child!

He is in constant need of a guide to steer him. When there is a plan in his head, let him set it forth. Let him give his opinions, and then say: "Truly, these ideas of yours are astonishing — only there is one point that ought to be looked at more closely..."

And behold, he forgets everything in order to fulfill your wishes and carry out what you want.

A man is vain by nature; he delights to hear those around him admire his good looks, his strength, his wisdom, and his intelligence that surpasses the intelligence of all other men. A man accepts advice, but hates to admit his mistakes.

Madam, beware of ever saying to a man: "How stupid you are, my friend! Who is the imbecile who drove you to do...? That plan of yours is unsound; it is not built on a firm foundation..." Rather, cry out: "Your idea is a great one — only..." In this way you gratify his vanity and at the same time give your opinion on the problem. And behold, he is pleased, and attributes to himself the success of which you are, in fact, the maker. A man admires himself completely; therefore he wants a woman who is beautiful, devoted, modest, and above all attractive.

The perfect woman does not exist; but with a little art, Madam, you can appear before your man in the guise of the ideal woman, as far as may be. Only the foolish woman lets her faults show! For faults are easy to hide!

Arabized by: Nihad Layyan