The 7-season show may be over, but the values and wisdom we can take away from it are here to stay. 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. 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 1960’s fashion trends. Wherever you’re going in life, dress to impress. Besides the men always sporting chic, fitted grey suits, the women know what they’re doing as well. Don even keeps some extra crisp, white shirts in his desk drawer because who knows when, yeah, you guessed it, he’ll 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. I’ve lost count of the amount of affairs he’s had over the years. You would think after everything he might learn a lesson or two, but we all know the chances of that happening are slim. So here’s the thing: if you don’t want to get a divorce (or in our cases, break up with your significant other) don’t cheat!
3. There’s nothing a little (or a lot) of alcohol can’t fix.
In no way am I condoning drinking at the workplace, in fact, you should never do that…but a beer or a cocktail once in a while isn’t 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 one’s for you, ladies. Betty teaches Sally that men should always come after girls, and that we should never chase boys for any reason. Bravo, Betty, bravo.
5. Don’t talk about coworkers behind their backs.
After Megan performed a sexy song and dance for Don’s 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 didn’t realize was that Megan was standing behind him the whole time and heard everything. 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. It is gossip after all…
6. Don’t start fights in the office.
We can all remember the infamous fistfight between Pete and Lane during a partner’s meeting. 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 that’s life. Be mature about it and fake a friendship if you must. It’s 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 he’s had, this was one major cost of his marriages. So, in simple terms, don’t have anything to hide. Just embrace who you are because you’re 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. It’s 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 you’re just naturally good at. Either way, it’s an important skill to have. Quick thinking can and will save you when you’re least expecting it to.
10. Keep your cool.
Nothing screams, “Keep calm and carry on” 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 ‘The New York Times’ in order for more anti-tobacco clients to land in Don’s lap. This goes for work and your social life…things won’t always go your way but don’t be a crybaby about it. Keep your head high and understand that you will have good days and bad days, but hey, that’s what life is all about anyway, right?