The 7-season show may be over, but the values and wisdom we can take away from it are here to stay.Ā Although Mad Men was fictional (no matter how real you wish Don Draper *swoon* and company was), it really did come with some important life lessons.Ā Because you were probably too absorbed in the scandalous lives of the Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce employees, I have come up with the top 10 things you may have missed but should never forget. SPOILERS AHEAD!
1. Always dress well.
We know this show does a great job of capturing 1960ās fashion trends. Wherever youāre going in life, dress to impress. Besides the men always sporting chic, fitted grey suits, the women know what theyāre doing as well. Don even keeps some extra crisp, white shirts in his desk drawer because who knows when, yeah, you guessed it, heāll come to work after spending the night with one of his many, many girlfriends.
2. Relationships require honesty and communication.
It is no secret that Don is the ultimate heartbreaker. Iāve lost count of the amount of affairs heās had over the years.Ā You would think after everything he might learn a lesson or two, but we all know the chances of that happening are slim. So hereās the thing: if you donāt want to get a divorce (or in our cases, break up with your significant other) donāt cheat!
3. Thereās nothing a little (or a lot) of alcohol canāt fix.
In no way am I condoning drinking at the workplace, in fact, you should never do thatā¦but a beer or a cocktail once in a while isnāt going to kill you. These ad men prove that a little alcohol can actually boost creativity, allowing the brain to relax and unwind from office stress. So, if you ever find yourself in a slump, head to the bar and grab a drink. You never know what connections you might make between completely unrelated ideas.
4. Men should always chase you, not the other way around.
This oneās for you, ladies.Ā Betty teaches Sally that men should always come after girls, and that we should never chase boys for any reason. Bravo, Betty, bravo.
5. Donāt talk about coworkers behind their backs.
After Megan performed a sexy song and dance for Donās birthday in front of all their guests, Harry Crane makes some lewd comments about it to Stan the next day at the office. What he didnāt realize was that Megan was standing behind him the whole time and heard everything.Ā This goes to show that you should never, I repeat NEVER, talk badly about one of your coworkers in the office or anywhere else for that matter. Chances are, the gossip you are spreading will get back to them.Ā It is gossip after allā¦
6. Donāt start fights in the office.
We can all remember the infamous fistfight between Pete and Lane during a partnerās meeting.Ā The outcome was a swollen hand, a bloody nose, a couple of crushed egos, and pure shock from executives watching. There will be times you disagree with a coworker, or you may not even like some people you work with. But thatās life. Be mature about it and fake a friendship if you must.Ā Itās an office, not a middle school playground.
7. Be true to yourself.
Yes, Don Draper has been lying about his true identity as Dick Whitman and his past since the very first episode of Mad Men. Not dismissing the countless affairs heās had, this was one major cost of his marriages. So, in simple terms, donāt have anything to hide. Just embrace who you are because youāre probably awesome and people will appreciate honesty over confessions later on.
8. If you work hard, they will notice.
Peggy is the classic example of this one. She started out as a secretary and worked her way up to a copywriter. In fact, she was the only female in the office to hold such a position. Itās important to dream big, aim high, and know your worth. She was persistent with Don throughout the first few seasons, and her demanding personality proves that we need to go after what we want!
9. Be able to think on your feet.
One example of many was when Don and Megan came up with a new pitch on the spot for the Heinz Baked Beans account. This is something that may take practice over time, or something youāre just naturally good at. Either way, itās an important skill to have. Quick thinking can and will save you when youāre least expecting it to.
10. Keep your cool.
Nothing screams, āKeep calm and carry onā more than when Don wrote a hypocritical letter to Lucky Strike after they pulled their business from the company. Especially ~cool~ because it was published in āThe New York Timesā in order for more anti-tobacco clients to land in Donās lap. This goes for work and your social lifeā¦things wonāt always go your way but donāt be a crybaby about it. Keep your head high and understand that you will have good days and bad days, but hey, thatās what life is all about anyway, right?