Archaic Traditions and Other Nonsense

Many, many, many women feel as if marriage is the end all and be all of existence, and, bar that, being in any kind of relationship with any man is far better than being single. This is why so many women are willing to overlook huge character flaws in prospective partners in exchange for a presentable outward appearance.

One of my favourite pet peeves is women who judge the worth and suitability of a man based on archaic and misguided traditions. They concentrate on superficial and virtually worthless traditions to determine the height of a man’s character. Many of these traditions were created in times when women were considered the property of their husbands, brothers or fathers, and were also based upon the premise that women are the “weaker sex.”
The following are two examples of this that I find particularly hurlworthy:

1. Women who oooohhh and aaaahhh over men who observe the time honoured chivalrous politenesses such as opening doors for them, pulling out their chairs, walking on the outside of the street, helping them with their coats, etc.

Sure these things are nice, but they’re not foolproof evidence that a man is a great person, or will make a dependable partner. These are superficial politenesses that anyone can perform. In fact, it’s been my experience that many men who meticulously perform these ancient rituals are generally insincere and enjoy creating an appearance of politeness and propriety to deflect attention from their poor character. It’s an easy way to make women think they’re wonderful. That’s not to say that all, or even most, men who open the door for you are jerks, but I don’t believe that it says anything one way or the other.

I don’t believe that just because I was born with a vagina that I should be able to get off of the elevator first, or that I need to have my door opened for me, or that I can’t pull out my own chair. If a man happens to reach the door first, it would be nice of him to open it, but if I get there first, it should be my responsibility to do the same.

Treating women as if they’re delicate flowers or putting them on a pedestal is not fostering equality or respect among the sexes. Besides, any rake is capable of holding a door open, but is fully incapable of telling the truth. I respect a man for being honest, kind and sincere.

2. Women who think it’s romantic and traditional when their significant other decides that he’d like to propose to her, and before doing so, asks her father’s permission to marry her.

Oh yes, how romantic. And traditional, too? Definitely traditional. Women used to be considered the property of their father or of whomever was their guardian. If a man wanted to marry a woman he had to ask that person for permission because it was a transfer of property ownership. A sort of business deal.

Yes, very romantic. Let’s feel nostalgic about those days.

If my boyfriend asked my father’s permission to marry me before or after proposing to me, I’d kick him in the nuts and disown him. I can’t think of a more disrespectful and degrading “tradition” than that one.

And to think there are women who cream their panties over how romantic it is. Ugh…how disgusting. Sometimes women can be so ignorant.

Before lauding certain “traditions” or falling for men who rigidly adhere to “traditional behaviours,” women need to think long and hard at what these traditions are really celebrating. And before deciding on the quality of man she’s dating, a woman needs to take a good hard look at his language and his attitude and his inner character. After all, while he’s practicing his politeness by opening and holding the door for you, he may also be polite to the woman who’s walking through the door behind you and holding it for her, also. And he may just be checking out her arse as she passes by at the same time he slips his phone number into her coat pocket…