This post may contain affiliate links that we collect a share of sales from. Click here for more details. Before there were DMs in which to slide, women needed to get creative when it came to finding a husband. And by “get creative,” we mean follow 129 super-specific “how to find a husband” tips McCall’s magazine collected in 1958. According to the magazine, in 1958, there were 16 million unmarried women over the age of 18 and assumed “the vast majority of them would like to be.” And that these women “are sometimes alarmed by statistics that show there are only 12 million unmarried men on which to pin their hopes” (and whom, McCall’s, is publishing these statistics? Hmm?) So, they decided to “try a technique called brainstorming” and gathered sixteen people to come up with ideas on just how to find a husband. The original article recently went viral when Kim Marx-Kuczynski shared it on her Facebook, and unlike Paul Rudd, it hasn’t aged well. The full how-to list is below. We recommend reading it with friends. While drinking. Which, coincidentally, is actually close to one of the tips. We’ve also pulled out some of our personal favorites. All you need is a hat box, some fishing tackle, and a nursing degree. We’ll keep an eye out for our wedding invitation!

8 How to Find a Husband Tips That Just Do Not Seem Like They Would Work

We clearly would’ve been spinsters in the ’50s, because we do not understand how these tips could be effective. “2. Have your car break down in strategic places.”
Got a whole ton of time to waste? Just pull over, pop open the hood, and detach a few hoses. What’s a AAA membership for if not to fund your “damsel in distress” routine? “19. Get lost at football games.”
We’re not sure how you get lost in a circular stadium with numbered sections. Have your friend drop you off blindfolded and spin you around a few times. Hopefully you’ll stumble over an eligible bachelor, or at least into the soft pretzel stand. “33. Carry a hat box.”
Surely he’ll think, “Wow, this is a woman who owns a lot of hats and is going places… with a lot of hats.” “40. Stand in a corner and cry softly.”
We’re not sure this is the best way to meet someone for several reasons, but it’s been part of our daily routine since March! Now where’s that ring? “47. ‘Accidentally’ have your purse fly open, scattering its contents all over the street.”
Waiting in the DMV line to replace your lost driver’s license is the perfect way to spend time together. For your second date, gaze into each other’s eyes as you wait on hold with your credit card company. “119. Ride the airport bus back and forth from the airport.”
What’s the goal here? Are we hoping somebody will eventually have to offer us an extra ticket to their all-inclusive vacation? “129. Don’t marry him if he has too many loose buttons!”
You know what they say about a man with loose buttons! No? Actually neither do we, but this one had an exclamation point, so it’s probably important.

7 Tips That Are Just…Yikes

Our intuition is telling us nah. “6. Read the obituaries to find eligible widowers.”
There’s nothing we love more than a rebound relationship or dating someone who isn’t over their ex. Better yet, just camp outside your local funeral home so you can see if your future hubby looks good dressed in black. “12. Become a nurse or an airline stewardess. They have very high marriage rates.”
Getting a husband is as easy as two years of nursing school and $10,000 in student loans. Perhaps you’ll meet someone who just impaled himself while trying to cut an apple with a steak knife! “56. If you look good in sweaters, wear one on every third date.”
Ah, the old “look good 33% of the time” trick! Wear a burlap sack on the other two dates. It’ll keep him guessing! “58. Get a sunburn.”
Lure him in with your lobster skin, then romantically hold hands during your next dermatology appointment. Was that mole there before? “62. Don’t tell him about your allergies.”
Tease him with your upper thigh by showing him where to administer your EpiPen as your throat closes up. “67. If he has bought you any accessory or trinket, wear it.”
That Hard Rock Cafe t-shirt he brought home from Hawaii will go with everything. “110. Point out to him that the death rate of single men is twice that of married men.”
For extra effect, tell him this while you’re sharpening a knife on a stormy night.

5 Tips We Actually Don’t Hate

Not going to lie, we can get behind these ideas. “10. Take a bicycle trip through Europe.”
Well, okay, but that’s going to seriously cut into our husband-hunting time. Might have to hook up with a sexy Austrian to make ourselves feel better. But that’s a sacrifice we’re willing to make! “21. Get a job demonstrating fishing tackle in a sporting goods store.”
It’s the perfect place to hook up. If he doesn’t appreciate that pun, he’s not the man for you. “50. Practice your drinking with your women friends first.”
We’ve been doing so much practicing. So. Much. Practicing. “91. Don’t be a pushover when he’s trying to make a date.”
We pick the poke place or the date’s not happening. “111. Go to Yale.”
What, like it’s hard?

Now for the Complete List of 129 Ways to Get a Husband

You’re welcome. Also, sorry.

Where to Find Him

1. Get a dog and walk it.
2. Have your car breakdown at strategic places.
3. Attend night school–take courses men like.
4. Join a hiking club.
5. Look in the census reports for places with the most single men. Nevada has 125 males for every 100 females.
6. Read the obituaries to find eligible widowers.
7. Take up golf and go to different golf courses.
8. Take several short vacations at different places rather than one long one at one place.
9. Sit on a park bench and feed the pigeons.
10. Take a bicycle trip through Europe.
11. Get a job in a medical, dental or law school.
12. Become a nurse or an airline stewardess — they have very high marriage rates.
13. Ask your friends’ husbands who the eligible men are in their offices.
14. Be nice to everybody–they may have an eligible brother or son.
15. Get a government job overseas.
16. Volunteer for jury duty.
17. Be friendly to ugly men — handsome is as handsome does.
18. Tell your friends you’re interested in getting married. Don’t keep it a secret.
19. Get lost at football games.
20. Don’t take a job in a company largely run by women.
21. Get a job demonstrating fishing tackle in a sports store.
22. On a plane, train or bus don’t sit next to a woman — sit next to a man.
23. Go to all reunions of your high school or college class. There may be widowers there.
24. Don’t be afraid to associate with more attractive girls; they may have some leftovers.
25. Go back to your home town — the wild kid next door may now be an eligible bachelor.
26. Don’t room with a girl who is a sad sack and let her pull you down to her level.
27. Get a part-time job in a convention bureau.
28. Change apartments from time to time.
29. When traveling, stay at small hotels where it’s easier to meet strangers.
30. Learn to paint. Set up easel outside engineering school.

How to Let Him Know You’re There

31. Stumble when you walk into a room he’s in.
32. Forget discretion every once in a while and call him up.
33. Carry a hat box.
34. Wear a Band-Aid — people always ask what happened.
35. Make a lot of money.
36. Learn several funny stories and learn to tell them well — but make sure you don’t tell him more than once.
37. Walk up to him and tell him you need some advice.
38. Dropping the handkerchief still works.
39. Have your father buy some theater tickets that need to be got rid of.
40. Stand in a corner and cry softly — chances are he’ll come over to ask what’s wrong.
41. Don’t let him fish for your name next time you meet. None of this “guess who” stuff.
42. If you are at a resort, have a bellboy page you.
43. Buy a convertible — men like to ride in them.
44. Learn how to bake tasty apple pies. Bring one into the office and let the eligible bachelors taste it.
45. Laugh at his jokes.
46. If there’s a wallflower among the men you know, why not cultivate them?
47. “Accidentally” have your purse fly open, scattering its contents across the street.

How to Look Good to Him

48. Men like to think they’re authorities on perfume. Ask his advice on what kind you should wear.
49. Get better looking glasses — men still make passes at girls who wear glasses — or try contact lenses.
50. Practice your drinking with your women friends first.
51. If you dye your hair, pick a shade and stick to it.
52. Wear high heels most of the time — they’re sexier!
53. Unless he happens to be shorter than you are!
54. Tell him he’s handsome.
55. Take good care of your health — men don’t like girls who are ill.
56. If you look good in sweaters, wear one on every third date.
57. Dress differently from the other girls in the office.
58. Get a sunburn.
59. Watch your vocabulary.
60. Go on a diet if you need to.
61. When you are with him, order your steak rare.
62. Don’t tell him about your allergies.
63. European women use their eyes to good advantage. Practice in front of a mirror.
64. Buy a full-length mirror and take a good, long look before you go and meet him.
65. Change the shade of your stockings and be sure to keep the seams straight!
66. Get that fresh scrubbed look by scrubbing!
67. If he has bought you any accessory or trinket, wear it.
68. Use the ashtray; don’t crush our cigarettes in a coffee cup.
69. Polish up on making introductions; learn to do them gracefully.
70. Don’t be too fussy.
71. Stick to your moral standards.
72. Don’t whine — girls who whine, stay on the vine!

How to Land Him

73. Show him you can have fun on a cheap date — but don’t overdo it.
74. Don’t let your parents treat him like a potential husband.
75. Ask your parents to disappear when you’re entertaining!
76. Double-date with a gay, happily married couple — let him see what it’s like.
77. Tell his friends nice things about him.
78. Send his mother a birthday card.
79. Ask his mother for recipes.
80. Talk to his father about business and agree taxes are too high!
81. Buy his sister’s children an occasional present.
82. On the first date tell him you aren’t thinking about getting married!
83. Don’t talk about how many children you want.
84. If he’s a fisherman, learn to scale and clean fish.
85. Don’t tell him everything about yourself at the start. Hold something in reserve.
86. When you’re out strolling with him, don’t insist on stopping at every shop window.
87. Don’t tell him how much your clothes cost.
88. Learn to sew and wear something you have made yourself.
89. Don’t gossip about him.
90. Never let him know he’s the only one, even if you have to stay home one or two nights a week!
91. Don’t be a pushover when he’s trying to make a date.
92. Very early on in your dating, why not get a favorite song that you both regard as your own?
93. Find out about the girls he hasn’t married. Don’t repeat the mistakes they made.
94. Don’t discuss your former boyfriends.
95. If you are widowed or divorced, don’t constantly discuss your former husband.
96. Be flexible. if he decides to skip the dance and go rowing on the lake, go — even if you’re wearing your best evening gown.
97. Hide your Phi Beta Kappa key if you own one — later on junior can play with it.
98. Turn wolves into husbands by assuming they have honor.
99. Resist the urge to make him over–before marriage, that is!
100. Learn to draw the line — but do it gracefully.
101. Remain innocent but not ignorant.
102. Make your home comfortable when he calls — large ashtrays, comfortable chairs.
103. Learn to play poker.
104. If he’s rich, tell him you like his money — the honesty will intrigue him!
105. Never let him believe your career is more important than your marriage.
106. Buy him an amusing or particularly appropriate present every once in a while. But don’t make it too expensive.
107. Clip and mail him a funny cartoon that means something to both of you.
108. Don’t tell dirty stories.
109. Stop being a mama’s girl — don’t let him think he’ll have in-law trouble, even if he will!
110. Point out that the death rate of single men is twice that of married men.

Wild Ideas — Anything Goes

111. Go to Yale.
112. Get a hunting license.
113. If your mother is fat, tell him you take after your father. If he’s fat too, tell him you’re adopted!
114. Stow away on a battleship.
115. Rent a billboard and post your photo and phone number on it.
116. Paint your name and number on a roof and write “Give me a buzz, pilots.”
117. Start a whispering campaign about how sought-after you are.
118. Sink at a fashionable beach at high noon!
119. Ride the airport bus back and forth from the airport.
120. Bribe Ferris-wheel operator to get you stuck at the top of the Ferris wheel.
121. Stand on a busy street corner with a lasso.
122. Carry a camera and ask strange, handsome men if they would mind snapping your picture.
123. Ask your mother to take in male boarders.
124. Make and sell toupees — bald men make easy catches!
125. Advertise for a male co-owner of a boat.
126. If you see a man with a flat, offer to fix it.
127. Carry a tow chain in the trunk of your automobile.
128. Let it be known in your office that you have a button box and will sew on bachelor’s loose button.
129. Don’t marry him if he has too many loose buttons!

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Madison Higgins Hwang is a New Jersey-based freelance blogger, content marketing writer, and former Walt Disney World Cast Member. She has written for World Wildlife Fund’s Good Nature Travel and TouringPlans.com. She enjoys getting starstruck meeting Disney characters, playing board games with too many rules, and taking long “naps” that would be better described as “sleeps.” However, finding that person may be proving more challenging than you realized. Perhaps you feel discouraged about the process of finding a husband and are starting to wonder: are there a series of steps I can follow? Could it be as simple as transitioning from point A to point B? Yes and no. There certainly can be steps, but the order in which these steps are taken and the context of each step can vary with each person and with each relationship. In this article, we will look at some of these steps to keep in mind while finding a partner. Having Trouble Knowing What To Look For In A Potential Partner? Make Sure You’re Looking For The Right Reason There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting a husband or desiring a happy marriage. These can be amazing, healthy parts of life. However, when striving to find a husband, you should be sure that you’re looking for the right reasons. Many people fail to realize how impactful reasons are and how greatly they can impact our outcomes. Before you start searching for a husband, it is important to understand what you are looking for and why. You might spend some time in self-reflection, clarifying what you expect and hope for out of a marriage. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this, and with time and patience, you’re very likely to find happiness. However, if you’re looking for a husband because you feel sad, lonely, or feel like it’s something you ‘should do, that can be problematic for a series of reasons. Some individuals find themselves entering into marriages even when their intuition tells them it’s not the right person or situation to do so. There are various reasons that people may jump into marriage, from feeling like it’s what they are ‘supposed to do’ or out of societal pressure. They might fear being single or desire the change in status that comes with being married. If any of these factors contribute to your desire to find a husband, you may be more likely to sacrifice your standards or settle for a relationship that you know deep down isn’t right for you. Having this awareness can help you continue checking in with yourself and reminding yourself what you truly want vs. where you might be making decisions from a place of fear or external pressure. Where To Start Looking Maybe you are wondering, where should I go to find someone that I’m compatible with? Online dating seems to be continuously growing in popularity, as many people utilize dating apps and websites to seek romantic partners. This is one potential avenue to consider; as it can connect with many interesting individuals you may not meet in everyday life. A 2019 study found that 12% of Americans entered a committed relationship or marriage with someone they met online. However, online dating can also come with challenges and frustrations. Some people may conclude that online dating doesn’t work well for them, which is perfectly okay. Some individuals may find that they are more comfortable meeting potential dates in person, where they can connect in a way that feels more organic. One survey revealed that 60% of the individuals met their future spouse through an organized group setting, such as school, work, a religious community, or a social organization. Along the same lines, you might consider joining a fitness club, a Meetup organization centered on one of your hobbies or taking a class. All of these avenues can provide opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals. On A Date When you are on a date with a potential romantic interest, it is important to be clear about your intentions and ultimately searching for. Some people may feel like they should ‘go with the flow’ not to appear too intense or scare off a potential partner. That being said, it is crucial to be upfront and clear about your goals for a relationship. That provides the opportunity to assess whether the other person is aligned in what they want as well. If they are not in the place where they are seeking a long-term commitment, it is better to know that sooner rather than later. Even though you are ultimately looking for your forever person, that doesn’t mean the process of dating has to be extremely serious and heavy. Try your best not to lose sight of being in the present moment, asking meaningful questions, and enjoying getting to know your date. Aim to take things one step at a time. Though you may start evaluating whether this person has long-term potential, try to avoid making premature judgments when you’ve only just met someone. Try not to let your mind become too fixated on the future that you cannot be in the present and be open to what could develop. Be Yourself! One of the most important things women may forget in their search for a husband is to be themselves. Unfortunately, society has conditioned women to believe that they need to change or adapt themselves to become more appealing to men or desirable. There are some really important things that women need to hear and understand. First and foremost, when you get married and have a husband, you want a relationship that will allow both people to be seen and accepted as their full selves. This means that you shouldn’t try to be something you’re not to attract a man. Presenting yourself as you truly are from the beginning can help you determine whether there is enough alignment and compatibility to continue. This is why it’s so critical for women to be themselves and not get too wrapped up in the quest to find a husband. Believe it or not, there is someone out there who is looking for someone just like you. You run the very high risk of missing out on that special someone if you become too preoccupied with changing key parts of who you are for the sake of gaining the attention or favor of a man. When seeking a husband, loving yourself, being confident in yourself, and BEING yourself are paramount. Otherwise, you’re just doing yourself a disservice. Having Trouble Knowing What To Look For In A Potential Partner? Don’t Forget To Live Life In The Meantime While it’s perfectly okay to put time and energy into finding a husband, it is also important to continue living your life in the meantime. Staying grounded in your life is crucial, especially as you meet potential partners. As you begin a relationship, it is essential to maintain a sense of individuality and not abandon the things central to who you are. A relationship should not become your entire life but instead, be a delightful addition to an already full life. That being said, continue spending time with your friends and family, pursuing your passions, moving towards your career goals, and spending time doing what you love. The right person will be able to come along and support you and enhance your life. In the meantime, don’t put your life on hold, expecting someone else to swoop in and complete your life. Continuing to live life as you search for a husband can also keep you from getting discouraged if your search takes longer than you may have expected. Sometimes, it can take months, years, or even decades before you find the right person for you. Not having your entire world revolve around finding a husband can ensure that you remain a happy, healthy, and well-functioning individual. Reaching Out for Support The process of finding a husband may be accompanied by feelings of fear, frustration, or insecurities. Don’t be afraid to ask for support if you need it. In some cases, it may be beneficial to seek professional support to address any challenges you may be experiencing in the context of finding a partner. Through BetterHelp online counseling platform, you can connect with a licensed therapist who can assist you in processing difficult emotions around dating and addressing any barriers that may be impacting making meaningful connections with others. This may be an important step in moving you closer to your goal of finding your person. Are You Wondering How To Find A Husband? If you plan on getting married, you want a good husband. No one is out there carefully searching for a bad one. But, finding a good husband isn’t as easy as it seems like it should be. Sometimes you think you’ve found the perfect person only to end up hurt in the end. However, some tips can help you find a good husband and build a strong marriage. It All Starts with You What makes a man want to marry you? The answer lies in you. If you wonder how to find a husband and find a good husband, you need to start by looking at yourself. You’ve probably heard the saying that you can’t truly love another if you don’t know how to love yourself. There’s a lot of truth to that statement. Wondering How To Find A Good Husband? Your self-esteem and self-acceptance play a huge role in your relationships with others, including marriage. If you constantly feel bad about yourself, no man will be able to make you feel good about yourself. If this is what you’re looking for in a good husband, you will end up disappointed. Before you start your search for a husband, work on building your self-esteem. Learn how to feel good about the woman that you are. You must acknowledge and accept the imperfections you have because everyone’s got them. If you struggle with feeling like you’re «not enough,» this is something that you can address through counseling. If you think that a man will fill this void for you, it won’t work. He will end up frustrated because he won’t be able to give you what you’re looking for. Instead, you’ll create challenges within your marriage. Learn How to Be a Good Wife If you wonder how to find a husband and want a good husband, you will also want to learn how to be a good wife. Why would one of the good ones want to choose you if all you’re in the relationship for is to get what you want out of it? While it’s true that most people are more focused on what they are getting than what they’re giving in a relationship, that doesn’t mean it’s the best way to find a good husband. You increase your chance of getting a good husband to show a man that you would make a good wife. Part of this is being confident in who you are. Be Yourself and Be Honest You don’t want to find a husband who likes you for the activity you put on when dating instead of the person you truly are. Make sure that you are yourself when dating. Remember, be confident in yourself and accept yourself. This helps you to be yourself around other people. If you find a husband who likes you, but you never let him see the «real you,» then you’re starting your marriage based on lies. Know What You’re Looking For Once you have learned how to love yourself and truly accept yourself, imperfections and all, you’ll be in a much better place to find a good husband. This is when you need to figure out what you’re looking for in a husband. Of course, this answer is going to be different for everyone. But, if you don’t understand what a «good husband» looks like in your own opinion, it’s going to be almost impossible to know when you’ve found one. Do you want someone with a great sense of humor? Do you want a husband who will be able to support you and the family so you can stay home and focus on raising a family? Do you want a husband who loves to travel? One who is looking for a wife who also works to contribute to the family income? It’s important to think about all these things and anything important to you. While you may not find every single thing that you’re looking for, if you take the time to prioritize your wants, you will be able to know when you’ve found a man that meets them. Also, it will be easier for you to spot when a man you’re dating doesn’t have a lot of the qualities you’re looking for in a husband. Finding a Good Husband Consider Their Level of Commitment Part of finding a good husband is finding one that’s ready to commit. There was a recent study done to find out what makes a man more likely to get married. The results showed a specific age range of when men were more likely to marry based on their education level and where they were in life. One of the findings was that «Ninety percent of men who have graduated from college are ready for the next step between ages 26 and 33; this is when they are most likely to consider marriage. But this window of opportunity stays open for four to five years, and then the chances a man will marry start to decline.» You may be able to get a man to marry you when he isn’t ready, but that could lead to commitment problems within your marriage. So as you’re dating men, consider where they are in their life and if they are ready for the level of commitment that you’re looking for. Look For a Man Who Isn’t Insecure. When a man is insecure, it can lead to a lot of challenges within a marriage. Because he struggles with his feelings about himself, it can impact how he thinks about himself. The following are some signs of an insecure husband:

• Always questions your motives
• He keeps score
• He thinks you have a hidden agenda
• During arguments, he focused on defending himself instead of solving the problem.
• He gets mad if you don’t thank him or compliment him often
• He thinks you should be a mind reader and know what his needs are
• It’s important to him to know all of your conversations
• He’s jealous of the time you spend with friends
• He believes he is always right, which means that you’re always wrong if you disagree with him.

If you don’t want to experience these things within your marriage, you want to avoid marrying an insecure man. Or, at the very least, if you know that your man is insecure, look for ways to help him in building his self-esteem. Pay Attention to How He Treats You and Others Watch how he treats you as you’re dating but also watch how he treats others. For example, how does he talk about other people? What type of interaction does he have with his own family? Does he act one way around some people and another way around others? Wondering How To Find A Good Husband? If he’s consistent regardless of who he is around, it’s a good sign that you see the real him. Many people advise you to watch how he treats his mother because it’s likely to indicate how he will treat you. It’s believed that it gives you insight into how he thinks it’s OK to treat women in general. See What His Friends Are Like The company that he keeps can give you a good picture of his character and the type of man he is. For example, if his friends are inappropriate with women, talk harshly, and believe that «boys will be boys,» he might feel the same way. This doesn’t mean if you don’t like his friends, he automatically won’t be a good husband, but it will give you some things to think about. Remember, Relationships Take Work and Growth The word is out there that relationships can be hard, and marriage takes a lot of work. It’s true. So, it’s important to keep that in mind as you work on finding a good husband. If you expect to find the «perfect» husband, you’re going to be looking for a long time. They don’t exist, just like you’re not going to be the «perfect» wife either. There are some things that you can’t know until you’re married and living in the situation. If you find a husband who wants a good marriage and is willing to work at it, he will continue to grow and improve his role over time. This is the normal progression in a relationship. Even if you find someone who was married before, he will not be perfect at marriage. The best way to make sure you find a good husband is to find someone you can choose to love for the rest of your life who is willing to choose you every day and is always willing to work on the marriage. Facing troubles and difficult times on occasion is normal in marriage, but there are ways that you can get through them while staying strong together. Marriage Counseling If you are married and find that it’s a constant struggle, it doesn’t have to mean that you married the wrong person or aren’t in love anymore. It could just mean that your marriage needs a little work. A marriage counselor can help you and your husband to work together at improving your marriage. If you find that you’re constantly struggling in relationships and always choosing the wrong person, it could be helpful to talk to a counselor about it. They can help you spot the trouble areas that are continuing to trip you up. This can help you see areas of your life that you could improve in and help put you in a better place for meeting the right man. “Sessions with Natalie are very insightful and give practical advice on implementing new habits and changes. Be prepared to engage and be challenged to think in a different way. I know that my partner and I can already see improvements in our relationship and feel more positive about working through our issues together.” “Austa has been wonderful thus far. She has helped my partner and I during an unimaginably difficult time… She has also guided us in communicating effectively and setting appropriate boundaries in our relationship. I was hesitant to pursue counseling at the beginning, but I truly believe that it is making a difference for our relationship. Austa is easy to talk to and she is a great listener. I would wholeheartedly recommend her as a counselor.”

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