Chivalry is well and truly dead.

[Virago]

When I was nipper, way back in the 'sixties, kids had to give up their seats on the bus for an adult. That was the way it was - no arguments.

In the 'eighties, there was a backlash - parents started to demand respect of thieir child's rights. My child has payed for their seat - why should they have to give it to an adult?

And so to today - those children of the 'eighties are now having chidren of their own. The result - a self-obsessed and utterly selfish community.

Often in this situation, it would be a frail old man that would be first to offer his seat. He's the only one on the bus for whom good manners is instinctive.

Holding the door open for someone. I still do it instinctively, but it becomes apparent that it is not "the done thing" now, as people then walk through with eyes averted, and no hint of acknowledgement. I usually wait a couple of seconds, and yell "you're welcome" after them.

Oh dear, listen to us old farts, complaining about today's yoof...

[kro]

Don't blame the punters. I opened a door for a lady 6 weeks ago, and got an icy stare, and the comment "I can open my own doors, I'm not handicapped you know". I didn't bother telling her to get fucked, as she was obviously a bitch, and would have been told by someone else later in the day.

Womens Liberation, women can do anything, women are empowered, equal pay, equal employment possibilities, women this, that, and the other thing. We are bombarded with this daily, don't blame the punters for listening, and letting women tough it out with the men.

One thing I hate about womens liberation, is that it takes the mystique, the attraction, and the very heart of the women, and makes them like every other working man, and I think this is a shame. I like to be able to help carry a ladys grocery bags to her car, I like to be able to open doors, or give up a seat on the bus etc etc. But if women are going to go out and work, they can carry their own bags, and open their own doors, because they want the equal footing.

[Virago]

...Womens Liberation, women can do anything, women are empowered, equal pay, equal employment possibilities, women this, that, and the other thing. We are bombarded with this daily, don't blame the punters for listening, and letting women tough it out with the men...

Bingo.

Simple good manners can now be perceived as patronisation. The act of being nice to a fellow human being, hinges crucially on a gracious and good mannered response.

It's a death-spiral...

[Deano]

Don't blame the punters. I opened a door for a lady 6 weeks ago, and got an icy stare, and the comment "I can open my own doors, I'm not handicapped you know". I didn't bother telling her to get fucked, as she was obviously a bitch, and would have been told by someone else later in the day.

Womens Liberation, women can do anything, women are empowered, equal pay, equal employment possibilities, women this, that, and the other thing. We are bombarded with this daily, don't blame the punters for listening, and letting women tough it out with the men.

One thing I hate about womens liberation, is that it takes the mystique, the attraction, and the very heart of the women, and makes them like every other working man, and I think this is a shame. I like to be able to help carry a ladys grocery bags to her car, I like to be able to open doors, or give up a seat on the bus etc etc. But if women are going to go out and work, they can carry their own bags, and open their own doors, because they want the equal footing.

I was waiting for this, and personally I think it is a cop out.

There might be a few butch women's libbers that won't graciously accept a seat or door opened, but on the whole that would be a very minor percentage.

Doesn't wash with me sorry.

And it's not an equal footing when the woman is carrying several kg's of a man's progeny in their belly.

Where have all the REAL MEN gone.

[Meanie]

Where have all the REAL MEN gone.

We are still here we just got a little older

[skelstar]

It doesn't have to be a gender thing anyway...

[Deano]

It doesn't have to be a gender thing anyway...

I'd like to see you try and carry a baby......

[fireliv]

THats just completely rude. I dont get it. I see a person with kids, or and older person or a pregnant lady I will always get up and give them my seat. Maybe its the way that people are brought up. I was always told to respect those older than me.

Mind you I normally prefer to stand anyways.....

[janno]

Don't blame the punters. I opened a door for a lady 6 weeks ago, and got an icy stare, and the comment "I can open my own doors, I'm not handicapped you know". I didn't bother telling her to get fucked, as she was obviously a bitch, and would have been told by someone else later in the day.

Womens Liberation, women can do anything, women are empowered, equal pay, equal employment possibilities, women this, that, and the other thing. We are bombarded with this daily, don't blame the punters for listening, and letting women tough it out with the men.

One thing I hate about womens liberation, is that it takes the mystique, the attraction, and the very heart of the women, and makes them like every other working man, and I think this is a shame. I like to be able to help carry a ladys grocery bags to her car, I like to be able to open doors, or give up a seat on the bus etc etc. But if women are going to go out and work, they can carry their own bags, and open their own doors, because they want the equal footing.

That's not womens lib Kro, that's being an obnoxious bitch.
I look upon it as person A being polite to person B. Gender shouldn't be an issue. Ignore that tart and keep opening doors, I say!

I've worked as an ASME IX welder, and as crew on fishing vessels, and was gobsmacked when a flatmate at the time said she was offended that I used the phrase "big girls blouse" as a jokey put down.

That silly bitch was a nurse, for gawd sakes! Hardly a ground breaking gender role. I think I've earned the right to say whatever I damn please, after the jobs and conditions I've worked in.

I was respected at my various workplaces for being able to do the job and get on with people. If I'd been a knee jerk feminazi I'd have lasted five seconds. No one likes to work with an argumentative cunt, to put it crudely, no matter what sex they are.

[gijoe1313]

The funny thing is most of the time being bikers, we usually hold to the unwritten law that we should help fellow bikers in need. From the people I've met, it just strikes me that they would do that regardless anyhow (ok maybe not for a stranded cager...but I have done so in the past and would keep doing so).

Always funny to see the reaction when you're helping people out in your biker gear (in my case...) and you get to talking... and realise you ain't a P-dealing, tattooed, patched gang member

"Oh, me? I'm an English teacher..."
"..... really? ....."
(here I would like to say "actually no, I'm a P-dealing, tattooed, patched gang member - you got a daughter?" )

[Virago]

...Where have all the REAL MEN gone.

I was a Real Man once. A long time ago it was.

I sold my bike and bought a car, so my wife wouldn't have to ride public transport when pregnant.

Those were the days...

[Deano]

I was a Real Man once. A long time ago it was.

I sold my bike and bought a car, so my wife wouldn't have to ride public transport when pregnant.

Those were the days...

You gave up on your manhood bro ? Now that is not necessary and maybe that is part of the problem - men do not know how to behave like men these days. Two much PC/societal/anti-testosterone BS getting in the way of good old fashioned values.

Incidentally, the wife catches the train because it is preferable for her to sitting in peak hour traffic for ever, finding a park, and the extra $$ associated with these options. She is pregnant, not handicapped.

I would sell the bikes in a second if I needed to support my wife or family.

But with the extra dosh saved by using public transport, hey......

[Brett]

Mrs Deano only has another 2 months before the due date of our first baby.

She catches the train to work into Wellington and back each day.

Yesterday she got on the train and all the seats were taken. She is obviously pregnant, yet not one person offered her their seat.

The train guard came along and clipped her ticket and noticed that she was preggers. Pretty hard not to when he can't get around her in the aisle

Guard announces loudly "isn't anyone offering you their seat "?

No response from other passengers so he repeats it even louder (much to Mrs Deano's embarassment).

At this point one woman 'realises the situation' and offers her seat.

Are people so blind or up their own arses to not see Mrs Deano's plight and assist ?

Maybe I'm extra observant by nature but I generally notice most of what is happening around me. (Maybe a motorcyclist survival instinct?)

Even when the guard made a fuss, men didn't jump up with an offer - it took another woman to do it. Oh and I use the word men in the loosest form, as these cretins are not real men.

Mrs Deano told me once how a lady on crutches was struggling to get on the train one day - seated passengers who saw her quickly put their heads back into their newspaper/work/book/arse in order to pretend they were unaware.

What is up with society these days ? Where is the love ?

Shit mate, that is really rude. I would always offer my seat to a female or elderly male, or even a young kid.

Same goes for things like helpng the elderly unload heavy items from their grocery trolleys etc. Only takes me 20 seconds, but helps them considerably

I can't believe how rude/self centered some people can be...

[Bloody Mad Woman (BMW)]

That sucks no-one giving your wife a seat. I was standing in a bus the other day and a middle aged man with a walking stick got on - this young female teenager offered him her seat - he declined say he was only going 2 more stops but thanked the young girl for offering. I was heartened by this but not one male offered!

I love it when a male opens a door for me - lets me go first - and I always thank them. Each time it gives me a lift of the spirits.

One thing I have also noticed about the younger generation is how they will walk straight at you and expect you to get out of their way - or cut your "space" off. Some brush so close pass me - I do laugh at times cos usually I have a cig in my hand and guess where the lit top goes - on their clothes. Serves them right - and it isn't as if they haven't got enough room!!

Well tolerance level was zilch today - and a runner came blatting around the corner - semi hesitated then ran straight for me - well he got "Watch where ya fkn going you retard".

All boils down to courtesy and respect and sadly there is very little of that around.

[NordieBoy]

But then I still enjoy holding doors open for people, and opening the car door for my wife.

Car?
I'll hold the bike still while she throws her leg over, if that counts...