Now answer this: How would you react?
A) Shrug it off and walk away with a quick "thanks"
B) Get mad at the guy for making you look like a damsel in distress
C) Profusely thank the guy for saving you from a messy accident
Easy, right? A guy saves you from being hit by a car. The least you could do is thank him! But that's not the case for a woman named Laurie Penny who was recently saved from a car hit by actor Ryan Gosling in Manhattan. She says:
“I really do object to being framed as the ditzy damsel in distress in this story,” she wrote. “I do not mean any disrespect to Ryan Gosling, who is an excellent actor and, by all accounts, a personable and decent chap. . . . But as a feminist, a writer, and a gentlewoman of fortune, I refuse to be cast in any sort of boring supporting female role.”
A guy saves you from a potentially life-threatening situation, and you get mad at him for making you look like a "ditzy damsel in distress" and giving you a "boring supporting female role"? Wow. I wonder what she'd say if he just walked on by as watched her get hit.....
Sadly, though, this is not a new concept. In the last 100 years or so, women have gone from stay-at-home moms vacuuming in pantyhose to belly-button-bearing women on contraception who can't bear the thought of a males taking away their right to do what she wants when she wants.
Many women find it insulting when a man takes it upon himself to actually do something manly [ie. slay the dragon, save from car accident, open door, carry heavy box]. Why? Because women think it means men are better than women. They'd rather men impress them by walking around shirtless showing off their six-packs than actually rolling up their sleeves and performing some manly act of valor.
Now, what does this do to you guys? It makes you step back. You don't take opportunities to do manly things because women aren't thankful. Lift a heavy box? "I CAN DO THAT MYSELF, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!" Open a door for a girl? She just walks right through and ignores you.
But let me tell you this: some people do still care. Women with at least an ounce of class would thank you for opening a door or lifting a box, not to mention if you save us from being hit by a car.
Do not stop being a gentleman just because society tells you it's not cool. The right girls will appreciate it when you open the door for them! Men were made to fight for and protect ladies and children. Never give up because some wacko thinks you're degrading her by helping her. You were made for more than watching football and letting women take over the world. Stand up for your dignity as a man, and don't let women take that away from you.
Ladies: Let guys be guys. Seriously. If a guy opens a door for you, say "Thank You". If he offers to lift a box or do something else nice, let him do it. Stop trying to squash his manliness. Letting guys do these things does NOT mean you are a damsel in distress, or that you are not equal to men. It means you care enough to let guys be themselves. They were made to love and protect you, and YOU need to respect that. Stop trying to take over the world, and let guys take the lead....sometimes :-)
Never, ever, stop standing up for your dignity as a man or as a woman. We're equal, but have different roles in society. Accept it, and own it. Men, be gentlemen, and ladies: performing various acts of chivalry is WAY more impressive than any six-pack. Keep that in mind next time some movie star saves you from a speeding taxi in NYC.
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