Activity

Back at it, haha! Apologies for my silence.

@wordsmith

I definitely agree with you that this is a cultural thing – both from location and family.

See, I’m from the Midwest. And I haven’t spent really any time in the South, so I can’t say this for sure, but from the way you’re describing it I’d say we place the emphasis on hard work that you guys place on etiquette. And we don’t place the emphasis on etiquette. I guess it’s been carried over from our pioneer days – midwest girls (and ladies) do the work that needs to be done.

As for the potential of you intimidating girls, I completely understand what you’re talking about. And I respect your commitment to controlling the power that you have earned (congrats on your karate accomplishments by the way). That is a really good thing, the mark of a gentleman even.

That being said.

I’m female, 5’3″ an no longer growing, with no martial arts training other than surviving my brothers. Logic would tell you that I probably wouldn’t be too “dangerous”. But, I wrangle horses and try to ride cows (but I’m an awful jumper so I can’t get on), shoot, and play football. As I said before, I don’t wrestle as a sport because I don’t think it’s ladylike. But my dad and I have often wondered how far I could have went as a wrestler had I pursued it because I have the drive and so forth. I may not be able to do everything a guy can do, but I’ve been raised with the confidence that I can do everything a guy cannot do – and most of the stuff he can.

I’m not easily intimidated by someone’s size. In fact, I’d be far – far– less intimidated by a 6’1″ jacked dude who seemed sound of mind than a 5’3″. So, for some girls, having a gentleman in a suitor is a big deal, and I don’t blame them. There is great, great, great value in gentleman, and I would be disappointed if my brothers or potentially future sons turned into anything else. But, for me personally (again – personal opinion) I’m not currently looking for a guy who walks me home. Rather, I’m looking for a guy who I can’t physically break.

That being said, I will feel honored and appreciated when that man opens a door for me (especially car doors when on a date (off a date it’s not so big a deal if we’re just dating)…. that’s super sweet in my opinion) or offers his jacket when I’m cold. I’d feel awesome when he was a gentleman to someone else – because I know he picked me first.

So, to conclude. Like you said, there is value in both of our views on handshakes. It’s a cultural thing. Different expectations are held for different people in different locations and by different people.

It’s all about perspective.

As far as the rest of the conversation since my last post… I have no new chivalry stories, and haven’t really ever used essential oils. So, I don’t have much to bring to the table. So, Cheerio! Happy Writing! And have a good life.

And all that jazz.

And I realized that I use the word “so” far too much. So I’m sorry.

Bye.