Really ... I Should Just Stop While I'm Ahead

Today, March 8th, is International Women's Day 

 

So ... ladies? Happy International Women's Day.

But, in so offering, I open a can of worms. No matter what, you know I'm going to work my way into some sort of trouble.

I wonder: Is it even appropriate to offer such a salutation, coming from me? A man? If I don't consider myself the male equivalent of a true feminist, is the sentiment disingenuous? Should I just leave well enough alone and keep my big yap shut? 

Howza 'bout I offer a simple image as way of greeting? Or is something like this too bland?

"We're women. We're more than just an icon."

After all it might illicit a not-so-(insert word here) response and counter any well-meaning intention.

Is the "strong woman" icon rote in this day and age?

"You think we're here simply to continually clean up your messes and keep you in line?"

How about something simple, non-controversial?

"Geez ... could you have picked a better image?

One without a trio of females whose heads aren't bound in scarves?"

Or something staid? Sedate?

  

"Boooooooooooooooooooring ..."

Maybe I should just put something comical up. You know, acknowledging the day while at the same time shooting for laughs and typical male behavior? (Women like honesty in a man ... right?)

 

What about the equivalent of an image of a man's power tie in a corporate meeting, so to speak? Something potent and robust?

"Ever try running around in an outfit like that, Michael?

Your boobs would pop out by the third step ..."

*sigh*

I just can't win. I'm not even going to try. I'll just continue digging my own grave over here, quietly ...

.......... Ruprecht ( can't help it. He'll never STOP bmaking mistakes. He is male, after all. )

It Sounds As If ...

Yes ... as a matter of fact there will be more images in this post
which will probably piss someone off ...

"Chivalry seems to be making the rounds, with men explaining that women like old-fashioned men who treat women like 'the weaker sex.'"

What?

Really?

Hokay ... I want to know something:

Who are these men? Where do they come from? Are they found in the states? Or from somewhere else? On television? Fiction novels? Where? Where are they? Because I haven't ever heard of one single man - be it a friend, acquaintance or someone on the local six o'clock news - who would take the time to explain chivalry let alone in a manner which condescends to women being treated as the weaker sex.

Right off the bat, this is why I called bullshit on many of the aspects of this article: 8 Acts of Politeness That are Better than Chivalry. A better title to the piece (which advocates a whole lot of ordinary good judgment for those who don't necessarily practice it) might be "A Few Acts Of Common Sense For The Clueless."

But the "chivalry" noted in the title of the article? It's pointless. I'll even go further in stating the author ("petticoat despot") didn't know what chivalry meant when she originally wrote what she wrote.

Without looking like a complete and total condescending asshat (and to some it won't make a whit of difference, I will probably come across as that very thing) let's take a gander at a few meanings of the word "chivalry" for shits and giggles. A couple authoritative definitions might shed a little light on the subject.
 
The World English Dictionary, items 1 and 2, states chivalry is: 

• the combination of qualities expected of an ideal knight, especially courage, honor, justice and a readiness to help the weak 
• courteous behavior, especially towards women

Notice neither definition denotes "weak women" nor do they imply women are the weaker sex. (Note: If courteous behavior is a crime? Then throw me in jail because I'm guilty. And if courteous behavior, especially toward women, is the same? Guilty again. Go ahead and double my incarceration.)

Here are a few more. Per Dictionary.com chivalry is:

• the sum of the ideal qualifications of a knight, including courtesy, generosity, valor and dexterity in arms
• the rules and customs of medieval knighthood
• gallant warriors or gentlemen

Again, nothing about a weaker sex.

In the author's statement highlighted at the very top of this post, there's that "glaring" implication about "the weaker sex." Yeah, glaring to the "nth" degree. 

So I ask: Who is making this a gender thing?

The author. And no one else.

When I am out in public, do I hold doors open / offer my seat / etc. to women? Damned straight I do. Just the same as I do for men, children, the elderly, ad nauseum. Why? Out of simple, pure politeness and common decency ... and especially so when there appears to be a need. Not because I'm trying to prove a point, not because I'm trying to throw implication around for my own benefit, not to stick it to feminists. And do I do those things with chivalrous intent? At times, damned straight I do ... but without giving anyone a lecture on what chivalry is and without outward ulterior motive. Again, I do it out of generosity, when there is need and because I'm a nice guy. To do so in any other manner would be disingenuous or underhanded.


The author said it perfectly: 

"You never know the circumstances of the people around you. You imagine them. Your imagination will probably be wrong a lot."  

Correct. But where the author fails to catch a clue is that that very thing works both ways - she indicates men have an ulterior motive in appearing chivalrous. One more time:

"Your imagination will probably be wrong a lot."

Bingo. It's the assumption there is something more than simple politeness at work.

So riddle me this: How is it the author can get away with foisting assumption on a given situation if no one else is allowed to do so? The author simply doesn't get it. It's a clear case of the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing.
 
Regardless of the author's cluelessness on this point, there are excellent points in the the article as reflected by some of the piece's commenters:

"All of these tips sum up to one overall tip: be sympathetic towards the people around you and act accordingly."

"Gotta admit I like some things that are considered "chivalrous" but really boil down to just considerate, good manners."

It sounds as if the only person having a problem with chivalry is the author ... who's making something of nothing. 

.......... Ruprecht ( STOP putting words in people's mouths )