Should A Women Expect A Gentlemen To Open The Car Door Before Getting In.
By sunshinelady
@sunshinelady (7609)
United States
April 4, 2007 5:46am CST
This is something that was done when I was younger. It was not unusual but the norm for a guy to do this. It was a nice show of respect for the women. I don't see this being done anymore and I have even heard women say that they are perfectly capable of opening the door themselves. That has nothing to do with it. It is simply a way of letting guys treat you extra special nice. What do you mylots say?
9 people like this
37 responses
@evelynlyp (788)
• Japan
4 Apr 07
I wouldn't mind it if we were out on a date or doing something special. I certainly don't want a guy to keep opening doors for me. I starts to make me feel that he thinks I'm not capable of doing anything. Also I don't like to waste my time waiting when I have something to do.
3 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
4 Apr 07
*ahem*
Did I read wrongly that imperial decree that said that men and women of planet Earth have become equal? If this decree still remains in force, shouldn't the privileges and baggages of being male or female be set aside?
So as far as things go, being male is no different from female in the eyes of the laws of the nation, planet, society, whatever. As such, one shouldn't question whether a gentleman should open the door for a lady. Instead, one might enquire if a human should open the door for another human.
If we are talking about doors in general, yes. If I am at the door, I will open it for you and hold it, be you male or female. But car doors??
Just imagine this scene. 2 guys in the car. The passenger waits for the driver to come open the door for him before getting out. OR, the driver waits for the passenger to get out and cross over to open the door for him.
Or, 2 ladies, Imagine the same scene again, except that it is 2 ladies this time. I find it so hilarious when imagining the scene myself. What do you think my friend?
Should a human go out of the way to open car door for another? Are we supposedly to draw lots to see how gets the honor of being waited upon? :P
@sunshinelady (7609)
• United States
4 Apr 07
Cute way of saying that guys shouldn't open doors for women. The equality thing again. It is gentlemenly for a man to open a door for a women. I am talking about car doors on a date. Although when I was growing up that was not the only time a guy opened a car door for a women. When you have kids than of course it is hard to wait for the man to open the door due to the fact of getting kids in and out of cars. Your response is cute but it definitely shows that times have changed. In my book that is a shame only because that is simply a way for a man to show a little extra special caring towards her.
1 person likes this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
4 Apr 07
If you are talking about dates in particular, then OF COURSE. Of course I would open the car door for a lady - isn't it part of the flirting game? This may not be the best way to impress her - but not doing so will surely put her off.
Dates aside, if I get off the car first and I am in time to open the door for someone before they can do so, I would too. It's effortless and doesn't take anything from me. :P
2 people like this
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@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
4 Apr 07
Opening the car door when we arrive someplace I dont really expect hims to run around the car and open the door while I sit there like Lady Muck, especially if I am driving. However if we both walk to the car together then yes I like him to open the door but I don't expect it. Now going in or out of a building then yes I do expect him to open the door and I will pointedly stand there until he does.
2 people like this
@daut007 (21)
• India
4 Apr 07
Back then women would never relinquish their dignity( anything that involved force or a loss of grace, its outmoded now though) to even miniscule quantities and they apparently, found such a case in forcing the door to open.
In the current scenario, it would rather be mocking if such things happened.
2 people like this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
4 Apr 07
I don't expect it anymore from strangers but I certainly do appreciate it when they do it. I can also tell you I know 4 young men who will get kicked in the back side if they even thought of opening a door and going through it before myself, my Mom or my sister - any of the 3 of us would kick my 3 sons and my nephew if they didn't hold the door.
Ok, you know Faith has to have a true story. One day a few years ago #2 son came home on leave and I took the whole family out to dinner. Youngest son started to go into the restaurant first and you got it, I may be old but still managed to get my foot up high enough to get my point across. #2 son who by the way stands 6 foot 4 inches tall, looked at his little brother and said, "Hey maybe by the time you get my height she won't be able to do that" He then stood in front of the door and turned his back side to me - which I proceeded to also give a boot... #1 son pushed his younger brothers aside held the door and bowed to all the ladies in the group as we entered. Inside I heard him say to his brothers "I'm not stupid, she's paying for dinner."
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@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
5 Apr 07
Sunshine I agree women brought this on themselves but they didn't think about those of us who enjoy being treated like a lady... I know I have 2 daughter-in-laws who both appreciate it and the first time I met #2 son's now wife she told me one of the things that made him stand out besides his height was the fact that he opened doors, not just for her but all ladies, that really impressed her.
1 person likes this
@sunshinelady (7609)
• United States
10 Apr 07
Faith,
By women hollaring equality all the way around they are missing the best part of being a women. It is a sad thing too. That would make a man stand out. That he knows how to treat women. You have done a great job of raising your children.
@sunshinelady (7609)
• United States
4 Apr 07
Faith I love your story and the fact that #1 son knew which side his bread was buttered. It sounds like you have a good relationship with your sons. I have heard a lot of women say what do they think this is. Do they think our hand is broke. It is a shame that women don't let men do little nice things like that and just say thank you and get out of the car. No what they do is belittle the man. Women sure have forgotten how it feels to be treated like a lady. I must say from what I have seen it is womens own fault.
1 person likes this
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@faythlyn (94)
• United States
4 Apr 07
My brother always opens the car door for his wife, and it is just so beautiful to watch. They are so sweet to each other, and it shows how much he respects her! Sure, sometimes it is annoying if I am riding with them, but I think it is wonderful. They have such a healthy and loving relationship.
By the way, he would also open the door for me when I was riding in his car. It was so nice, and I guess it made me feel more important.
2 people like this
@13thwarrior (116)
• India
5 Apr 07
You know what...actually i think they should...this is a good show of respect historically practised by men towards the fairer portion of the community
1 person likes this
@samtaylorskykierajen (7977)
• Canada
4 Apr 07
I don't expect anyone to open a door for me unless my arms are full and this would make it easier . They did this years ago but I would feel weird for someone to do something that I am quite capable of doing on my own . It is a way for someone to make you feel special but in another way it could become annoying if you had to wait for someone to do something for you that you can do on your own and I am not the type of person to wait for someone to do something . When I want to go somewhere I want to go and don't want to have to wait for something like this .
2 people like this
@angelgirl3868 (39)
• United States
4 Apr 07
I myself think a man should open a door for a woman I think it only shows repect and we need all the repect now a days we can get boy's are not like they use to be at the school the men need to let these young men see them doing these things so they will pick up on them it's only a nice thing to do for anyone man or woman I have opened the door for men before and for lady's it just show a nice person......
1 person likes this
@sunshinelady (7609)
• United States
4 Apr 07
Hi angelgirl3868,
That is what I think. It is a lost art but only because with the new womens equality movement if a man opens a door he gets his head chewed off. Told that the women is perfectly capable of doing it herself. It is a shame that a women can not sit still long enough for a man to come around and open the door. And not just appreciate it for what it is. A nice gesture on the man's part to show respect and do a nice thing for a women.
@Julia3269 (217)
• United States
4 Apr 07
I remember that time too. lol!
I'd assume if you are on a date/going to the prom, etc. it would be expected. By the same token, if I invited a guy to the prom and picked him up, I'd open the door for him. ;)
But my prom days are long gone. I occassionally get a co-worker to pick me up when the car is in the shop or something, but I always wait outside and would never expect him to get out and open the door. But sometimes the guy co-worker/friend will open the door and I just say thankyou. I'd consider it rude to say I can open it myself. I might also open the door for the guy or other women just to be nice.
2 people like this
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
4 Apr 07
I think it is so great when a man opens a door for me. My husband will do this usually. It shows that he still cares and respects me. It makes me feel special when he opens the door for me and it teaches my children how they should treat woman.
1 person likes this
@sunshinelady (7609)
• United States
4 Apr 07
Exactly. There is nothing wrong with a man doing this. Some women take offense at this if a man even attempts it. They don't know what they are missing. It is not a sign of weakness if you let your man do this. I think it is only out of respect that guys used to do this. And it is a very nice thing to do on the guy part.
@crackhead (1826)
• India
9 Apr 07
I don't think so. If thats only because they cannot open the door for themselves then its okay for me to open the door. Now a days most of the ladies are driving cars on their own and i don't think that would be a good idea expecting guys to open the door for them.
Men and women are equal these days! don't you agree sunshinelady? Most of the areas women are competing with men.
If it a case of flirting then thats ok for me to open the door cause thats a kind of flirting and impressing the lady.
1 person likes this
@4cuteboys (4099)
• United States
4 Apr 07
I like when my husband opens the car door for me, however that doesnt happen much now, as we have 4 kids and we have to buckle them into car seats ect. But when we go out on dates just the two of us he is very sweet and usually pretty good about opening the door! I think it's important and a good sign, especially in early dating to see a guy do it. I was always turned off by guys that didnt do that at least on the first date when they should be trying to make a good impression!
2 people like this
@Lindalinda (4111)
• Canada
5 Apr 07
Yes, I remember those days as well. O.k. if you are on a date that is nice. Actually though I prefer to open my own doors, even now that I am older. In those days women in the work force earened about 60% of what men earned doing the same job. We fought very hard to get equality in the workplace and women are still fighting in many countries. So it stands to reason that some privileges have to be given up. I don't see many young men opening the car doors for their wives or girl friends. Customs do change.
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
4 Apr 07
I think this is very nice when it happens. I wouldn't expect it but I would find it very flattering and that I was being treated special. That they thought highly of me. Perhaps I'm old fashion in that but I think it's just a way for a man to show that he respects a woman and thinks of her as a lady.
@flagbabygirl (891)
• United States
5 Apr 07
I love when my husband thinks enough to do this for me. But most of the time it is no longer done. I love being treated special even though I am perfectly capable of opening it myself!
1 person likes this
@retardedrugrat (4791)
• Canada
5 Apr 07
I liked when my partner used to open the car door for me. It doesn't happen anymore and when we're out and about, it's usually me opening the doors for him LOL.
Not the car doors, but doors like the mall entrances and so on. It doesn't really bother me though. We have a relationship thats based on so much more than who opens the doors for who lol.
1 person likes this
@yuliahar (18)
• Indonesia
5 Apr 07
it's not just impreesive as a norm guy, but above of all indicates that's guy is respecting his woman as honor human. my mom was told me , find the best man from the attitude (expecting my man to open my car door is one of the point, i assumed). fing greatest of attitude from men who do that to you.
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