My son took me out to lunch for my birthday (yes, he's 2 and we went to McDonald's, no, that is not what this post is about). Strangely, when you live in the hinterlands, eating fast food is actually kind of exciting (we live 80 miles from the nearest 'city' with a population of more than 2000). Anywho, my birthday is coming up and we both like chicken nuggets and french fries and were in town running errands, so why not? Lunch passed nicely enough, but then it was time to go home (the plot thickens). I was balancing a 40 pound toddler on one hip and juggling purse, keys, french fries (something to keep him busy on the road home!), and sippy cup with my free hand while somehow pushing the door open (and obviously not exactly speedy in exiting) when a young guy in his twenties comes up behind me, walks out the precariously open door, and says, 'thank you,' as apparently my sole purpose in this phenomenal act of door opening was to hold the door for this carefree individual!
It is a rather interesting commentary on modern social customs when the lady with her hands full holds the door for the guy with his hands free. Didn't it used to be the other way around? I don't expect anyone to hold the door for me in this day and age (feminism sadly killed that gallant custom) and gladly do it for others (the elderly, the infirm, those with their hands full, moms with infant car seats…) but this seemed downright odd, not to mention vastly amusing!
"For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn?"
Mr. Bennett, Pride and Prejudice.
In Jane Austen's day, men actually had to stand every time a lady left the table, let alone hold doors, etc. I am not sure we have evolved socially as much as we think we have, in many instances we are probably worse off than we were a hundred years ago. I wonder what sort of a novel Miss Austen would write today?
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