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

James Crouchet james at crouchet.com
Fri Oct 6 13:42:18 PDT 2006


Sir Lyonel Oliver Grace wrote:
> Salut cozyns,
>
> In response to Diarmaid's
>
>   
>>> ... 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.
>>>       
>
> Mistress Aethelyan says
>
>   
>> 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...
>>     
>
> Ironically, Mistress, your point supports Diarmaid's explication of the 
> underlying hierarchical motives behind many of our rituals of courtesy. Some 
> have argued that many of the outlandish extremes of feminine fashion were 
> ideologically designed as a reinforcement of the concept of women as 
> chattel. A woman who can't go through doors on her own, feed herself, run, 
> undress without assistance, ride a horse, or get into a cart or carriage on 
> her own is decidedly dependent upon the good graces of her lord.
>   
Not at all. Being unable to do things for yourself was a method of
showing wealth and applied to men as well as women.

Christian Doré





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