What’s Your Husband’s Name?

Gail Collins opened her NYT column last week with an anecdote about her first credit card:

“I have no idea what year it was, except that it is very possible Richard Nixon was still president. I was in the Macy’s in New Haven when a woman with a clipboard came up to me and asked me if I wanted to apply for a credit card.

‘Absolutely,’ I said instantly.

She took up her pen. ‘What’s your husband’s name?’ she asked.”

Women in the comments shared their own stories of from the era. A few favorites:


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