Should the independence of women compel men to abandon common courtesy? No! Regardless of who wears the pants, or who wears the skirts, common courtesy knows no gender. – Photo source, Etiquipedia private library.
Big Changes in Etiquette? No... Courtesy Must Not Be Abandoned for Neutrality!
Courtesy shows respect to others, regardless of one’s sex. It is more than opening doors and pulling chairs out. Courtesy is helpfulness and small acts of kindness.
A conversation between a young man and his mother:
“Well, mother, this new order of things is making great changes in etiquette. Do you realize it?”
“What do you mean? What new order?”
“Why, feminism, the independence of woman, of course. She has put herself on the same platform with men, and it is up to us to recognize this fact and respect it.”
“I hope you do respect it.”
“Oh, yes, I try. We must abandon courtesy for neutrality, of course. So I keep my hat on in elevators, as if all the woman occupants were men; keep to my seat in the street cars; never hold a door open to let even a lady pass before me. If she drops her handkerchief, I don't pick it up any more. In short, if she needs any little service I refrain from offering it. I know she is able to look after herself as well as any man.”
“You rude boy! You have none of the gallantry of your father before you, and I can only ask if you are not ashamed of yourself!” — Judge, 1915
Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia
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