about monica's post on common courtesy....
One thing I learned from Dave's (you remember Dave) mother is that the feminist revolution screwed things up. (Note: Dave's mom was not a June Cleaver-esque woman by any standard, picture more of a biker chick.) Now don't get me wrong, it did do some good, but overall it did more harm than good socially. Before it males and females had clearly defined social roles, people knew what to expect. If a household didn't run well the "traditional" way, as long as you had a reasonable mate, adjustments could be made. Nowadays guys don't know what to do and the underlying problem still arises. Guys who treat women badly still do and the men (notice noun usage) who treat women well still do. If you got beat by your husband before, well, odds are he'll still beat you, but now, instead of going to your family (or friends), you go to the police. It breaks down a lot of social bonds. (Not that having to rely on your family to defend you is a good thing, but having that reassurance...) Also, if you have a man who believes that women belong in the kitchen pregnant and barefoot, yes, you can now leave him, but odds are he's already controlled your mind enough that you'd stay anyway.
As far as voting goes, eh, as far as the glass ceiling goes, was necessary, but as far as socially, completely borked. Men and women aren't meant to treated the same socially, they're not the same types of people. Men protect, women nurture. To honor those rolls (that even today show through) they should have different places in society. Not unequal, just different. Let me explain, now if I tell you all that some random guy hit me, Monica would first ask if I wanna talk about it and see if I'm ok (typical female friend response) whereas Vinnie would grill me for details and then tell me he's sending out a hit (typical male friend response). Both good responses, both things I need to hear but two very different takes on the same situation. Originally etiquette was designed to nurture these responses and make the person they applied to more comfortable. That person knew where they stood. Now, most times when you've befriended a person, between the two of you you work out a code of behavior and rely upon it, and that's going to be more honest than an enforced set of guidelines, but again, that would come over time regardless. Etiquette allowed you to start on a known playing field as opposed to rocky ground.
I think I'm going to start writing out Jessi's guide to etiquette. Basically what you can expect from me, and what I expect from you. Feel free to add in anything you think I should have listed. (And Monica, I expect you to help me out on this one, if not take it over completely. :P)
But that will start another day, time for turkey! Happy Thanksgiving all ya Amies and a good day to the rest.
As far as voting goes, eh, as far as the glass ceiling goes, was necessary, but as far as socially, completely borked. Men and women aren't meant to treated the same socially, they're not the same types of people. Men protect, women nurture. To honor those rolls (that even today show through) they should have different places in society. Not unequal, just different. Let me explain, now if I tell you all that some random guy hit me, Monica would first ask if I wanna talk about it and see if I'm ok (typical female friend response) whereas Vinnie would grill me for details and then tell me he's sending out a hit (typical male friend response). Both good responses, both things I need to hear but two very different takes on the same situation. Originally etiquette was designed to nurture these responses and make the person they applied to more comfortable. That person knew where they stood. Now, most times when you've befriended a person, between the two of you you work out a code of behavior and rely upon it, and that's going to be more honest than an enforced set of guidelines, but again, that would come over time regardless. Etiquette allowed you to start on a known playing field as opposed to rocky ground.
I think I'm going to start writing out Jessi's guide to etiquette. Basically what you can expect from me, and what I expect from you. Feel free to add in anything you think I should have listed. (And Monica, I expect you to help me out on this one, if not take it over completely. :P)
But that will start another day, time for turkey! Happy Thanksgiving all ya Amies and a good day to the rest.