[Ansteorra] In defense of courtesy (was: Re:Courtesy challenge)

[Elisabeth B. Zakes]

On 10/4/06, Marc Carlson <marccarlson20 at hotmail.com> wrote:
> ... demonstrating our defacto ownership over the weaker sex through an array of bizzare
> rituals such as escorting them into court, opening doors for them, and so
> on.

On the subject of opening doors, I never saw it as demonstrating
defacto ownership. Women throughout the centuries have usually worn
long skirts, and opening a door, if it opens towards you, can drag the
door over the hem of the skirt. This is highly inconvenient, and can
be downright dangerous if it captures the hem and the lady starts to
walk forward, only to pitch headlong onto the floor. In certain
centuries, when farthingales, panniers, crinolines, etc. made skirts
stiff and much larger, even getting TO the door handle took
engineering. For me, opening a door for me demonstrates a person's
kindness to avoid these difficulties.

And if a woman's hands are full, whether of embroidery, baby, or feast
basket, opening the door for her is, again, a kindness so she doesn't
have to juggle what she's carrying. The same holds true for a man, by
the way. I've opened doors for men with burdens any number of times,
and I've seen others do so.

Even now, I appreciate anyone who opens a door for me, and thank them
as I walk through. I've seen many a 12-year-old smile with delight in
response.

Aethelyan Moondragon
Bryn Gwlad