Decorous accommodation for respectable couples
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381815)
Rockingham, Australia
July 7, 2025 7:56am CST
The historic town of York in Western Australia trades on its past in a way. Some shops have old-fashioned products on ancient shelving and signage has terminology more suited to the early 20th century.
The image shows the frontage of premises that originally offered accommodation. On the left the wording says ‘Decorous Accommodation Befitting Respectable Couples’; the centre panel states ‘Purveyors of the Finest Goods and Services’ and, on the left, the promise is of ‘Capital a-la-carte Dining Highly Remarkable Saloon’. Our friends don’t believe we’d be allowed to stay there! 
Although the signage remains, the shops below are now separate businesses but it all makes an interesting impression for tourists.
Although the signage remains, the shops below are now separate businesses but it all makes an interesting impression for tourists.11 people like this
10 responses
@DaddyEvil (174233)
• United States
7 Jul
I was going to ask how you'd sneak Vince in if you stayed there.
I always love seeing shops with something like those signs... They're fun and interesting to decipher what they mean. 
I always love seeing shops with something like those signs... They're fun and interesting to decipher what they mean. 2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (174233)
• United States
8 Jul
@JudyEv I've never seen those words on a sign...
One amusement park here called Silver Dollar City has a lot of old timey signs in the park. They make out like it is back in the day... It's a fun place to spend time. Pretty and I used to go there sometimes just to eat in the park. It's about an hour South of us.
I've never seen those words on a sign...
One amusement park here called Silver Dollar City has a lot of old timey signs in the park. They make out like it is back in the day... It's a fun place to spend time. Pretty and I used to go there sometimes just to eat in the park. It's about an hour South of us.2 people like this
@JudyEv (381815)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Jul
@DaddyEvil I would like that sort of park. It's nice wandering through this old town too.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (208748)
• United States
7 Jul
Yeah, it does sound like something that would be around in the 1800's.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (86575)
• United States
7 Jul
Oh, those were the days. “Respectable couples.” They used to have rules about renting hotel rooms to people who weren’t married to each other. And, of course, in America, people were allowed to pick and choose who they could rent to based on color, gender, or appearance.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (381815)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Jul
@LindaOHio In most cases I would agree.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222288)
• United States
8 Jul
@JudyEv And not for the better in my opinion.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (135583)
• Marion, Ohio
7 Jul
Love that they have kept the old signs
2 people like this
@JudyEv (381815)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Jul
I would have thought decorous applied more to people than to accommodation. Maybe I need to review the definition of the word.
