[gardeners] Re: Forms of Address"
asidv@fbg.net (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Thu, 2 Jul 1998 07:39:40 +0000
John Harman's worrying about feminism seems odd in an Australian, for
in visiting Australia I was charmed by the comfortable
attitude shown between men and women. I liked their use of the term
"Mate" as an endearment; they seemed to have fun together
and to respect the each other's worth.
Actually, it may be that much of the US war between the sexes rests
on an insufficient grounding in simple manners -- generally the
responsibility of the parents. So when oldsters complain about the
"attitudes" of the young, it could be an admission that we didn't
inculcate the forms of polite society in those for whom we were
responsible.
And please tell me, why wouldn't you step aside to let a woman
into an elevator first? What if she got there first? Surely you
don't barge ahead of those who preceeded you in space and time; that
would be tantamount to saying, "I rank you" and between strangers,
good manners says there is no rank. We can only prove "what" we are
by our words and our actions and if we are truly "strangers" that has
not yet been discovered. Pat