Re: [gardeners] Re: Forms of Address"
John Harman (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Fri, 3 Jul 1998 09:32:43 +1000 (EST)
On Thu, 2 Jul 1998 asidv@fbg.net wrote:
> 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.
Thats generally true. It was mainly in the work place that
feminism caused a lot of trouble and tension. Luckily these days it has
mostly dissipated. I certainly treat women differently at work, than I do
socially. It's just one of the hangovers of living through that era.
"Mate" is a term used by ozzie men to address each other. You sometimes
hear a woman call a man mate, but not often.
> 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
>
No I don't barge in front of people, but I don't stand back to
allow a woman to proceed me like I would have done years ago either. It is
considered 'patronizing' don't you know. :)
John
>