MESSAGE FOR THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR WOMEN, KNOWN AS NOW

MESSAGE FOR THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR WOMEN, KNOWN AS “NOW”
With all due respect ladies, there is an ill wind blowing among you. There seems to be a concerted effort by your rank and file members to eliminate the term “Gentleman” from the English language. Your modus operandi seems to be to blur the distinction between men and women to the point where there is no longer a need for the term Gentleman. This bothers me.

I am all for equal pay for equal work, equal scholarships for men and women, fair treatment when being considered for employment and across the board equality. No exceptions and there really is no other side to this argument. It just seems that in the pursuit of this goal there have been certain time honored traditions trampled.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines Gentleman as “A man whose conduct conforms to a high standard of propriety or correct behavior”. I suppose there can be some wavering between generations about what is a high standard of propriety or correct behavior but since I have the floor I will give you my thoughts, which I believe reflect those of my generation. I believe in treating a lady like a lady. That means opening the door for them, letting ladies go first, not using profane language in their presence, walking on the street side of them and other shows of respect. Doffing ones cap when meeting a lady is nice but seems to have gone by the wayside with the wearing of caps backwards, sideways and half sideways. Calling a woman “Mam” was summarily rejected as offensive by a certain female Senator recently.

It always irks me to sit in a restaurant and watch a hostess showing a couple to their table with the man leading the way and the woman trailing along in his wake. I just want to shout out “You male chauvinist slob!” Then there is the time honored tradition of any true gentleman, you never speak to anyone about what you and your lady do privately. Anyone. How many men have you heard lately boasting of their accomplishments with women or, as the case with some celebrities quoted in tabloids, degrading a woman’s performance in the sack as being sub-par. Like they are some Don Juan. Please. They might as well hang a sign around their neck “Pig With No Class”.

I realize times are a changing but please allow us of my generation to continue to feel as though there are those among you who enjoy and appreciate being treated in the old fashioned way. Regardless of the progress of mankind there are certain traditions I hope remain with us forever. So the next time you and I arrive at a doorway at the same time, allow me to open it for you. It will make me feel good.