Us Guys Just Can't Win

I post the following half way tongue in cheek but wondering if there is something more to be said about what will be said. 

It seems to me to be quite unmanly if I whine and complain about how we men are treated, so I'll just point to a couple of wise women who are noticing that men are getting a bum deal.

The first is Dr. Helen Smith, whose husband is Glenn Reynolds, the Instapundit.  He may be more well known but she is well worth reading - I've got her in my rss reader and enjoy her posts regularly.  She could be called a "men's advocate" she often writes on the ways the media and society gives short shrift.  She has some intersting comments on this video:

I find the video hilarious and true to life in the way that all caricatures are true to life in an exaggerated fashion.  She comments "I agree with one of the Youtube commenters who states: "If this is meant to scare young men like me out of ever getting married, it's working!""  She also notes: "Another reader sends the same link to the video and adds: "I'm thinking if the genders were reversed in this ad, they'd be burning J.C. Penney's to the ground in every mall in America." No, there never would have been an ad like this one up to begin with."

And here's Kim Moreland from The Point:

Here, University of Dallas student Ashley Crouch speaks out about the results of her chivalry poll. One paragraph stands out:

How do guys define chivalry? Three out of four responded that it had to do with respect, honor, and courtesy towards women. One man spoke openly: “Chivalry is the notion that a man has the duty to respect and serve women.”

But sadly, "too often . . . these same men lamented that their efforts to be chivalrous were met with scorn."

Us poor guys, we just can't catch a break now can we?  It's best for us guys just to keep a sense of humor about stuff like this.  As far as I am concerned, just because our wives and girlfriends want to put us in the doghouse doesn't mean we have to go there.  Yep, we're all a bunch of clods and idiots and often do stupid stuff like the guys in the video.  But it seems to me that an honest recognition that we blew it and a sincere apology ought to be be sufficient.  If the wife or girlfriend wants to send you to the doghouse after that, then she's the one with the problem.  Similarly, if a woman doesn't like your chivalry, let her go and let her be, there's plenty out there who recognize it for what it is - courtesy and respect - nothing more nothing less.

Comments

[Diane R]

Since I am older, I actually remember those days of chivalry. Men would walk on the outside so women wouldn't get splashed by cars or trampled by others. Men opened doors for women and ordered for them at restaurants (I am glad that ordering business is over with). Today, I am finding that younger men like it when women wait for them to open the door. I always do and there is a BIG smile on their almost all of their faces. However, the Baby Boomer group, frankly, is loutish. They wll allow the door to slam in your face....:) I do realize there are some decent boomers left. Are you one of them David?...LOL

[David Wayne]

Diane - I don't know what I am - I was born in 1963. I have heard that this is the tail end of the boomer generation, but I have also been told I am at the front end of Generation X - so I don't know what I am. I generally try to be considerate of my wife and other women in the way you suggest, but sadly, sometimes I get wrapped up in my own thoughts and can be a tad on the loutish side. If it helps I usually feel at least a little guilty if it is pointed out.

[Kris Grant]

A few years ago my husband bought me a gold necklace for Christmas. It was pretty, but it broke the first time I wore it. Since we were taking it back anyway, I told my husband that I would really like to have a new vacuum cleaner because I was tired of wrestling with the 20 yr old Kirby. We had fun shopping together for a new vacuum and the necklace went back.....to JC PENNEY'S!!!

[J. Eric]

Great Video,

Been there, done that. May yet again. Also, I was born in 1950 and I open the door for my wife every time we approach one. I also did this when I was dating her. Car, Church, backdoor with groceries, etc... All others just stand in amazement. I do it because I love her and always will. Now what shall I get her for Christmas? :O)

[Nomad]

that JCpenny ad is well done, though usually i prefer not to spend 5 minutes watching a commercial unless it involves vikings and snickers bars