A Ponderance
I was talking to a guy yesterday and the fact that I am a fount of useless information came up (he's started calling me Mistress of Useless Knowledge, which I completely dig). He asked me if I knew how the tradition of men opening doors for women started and I was stumped. I looked online, but couldn't find anything. Does anyone happen to know? It's bugging me that I can't find it.
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I would try looking up the "history of Chivarly"-I found many books around the time of mediveal times. My reading was chivarly was a social standing tahng.
Posted by shelli at April 30, 2004 10:42 AM
Some historic dude wanted to get laid. That's how it started. ;)
Posted by nastybastard at April 30, 2004 11:27 AM
My guess would be from George Washington, "Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour In Company and Conversation" 1744, rule number #29, which said, "When you meet with one of Greater Quality than yourself, Stop, and retire especially if it be at a Door or any Straight place to give way for him to Pass."
http://gwpapers.virginia.edu/civility/transcript.html
Thanks something to start with. :-)
Posted by Pam at April 30, 2004 08:24 PM
At various times in history womens dresses have been so huge, what with trains, bustles, crinolines, hoops, 50 yrds of fabric/lace/brocade stiffened for 'effect', etc.
it was nearly impossible for 'ladies'of
the wealthier sort to make it out of closed doors, much less close enough to
the door knob to open them. Womens fashions have for hundreds of years been
designed for effect not practicality.
Hence the term 'lady of leasure' and all
that business of having 'the vapors'
fainting, and such. It was not practical, or comfortable, and in some instances unhealthy. Clothing was a major influence in how the perspective of woman as being the 'weaker sex' was propagated and perpetuated. It also was a way men could show off their prosperity and had influence in their wives choice of wardrobe. Think of how
many pairs of shoes you have and need to dress appropriately and then think of how many your guy friends have and need to get by. Frankly, I like shoes.
Remember: Shoes and jewelry always fit
even if your clothes don't.
Posted by The Scarlet Tutu at May 8, 2004 03:34 AM
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