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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTalking about men who wouldn't help women
Last Saturday I jumped on a shuttle to move from one terminal to another. Rain was pouring in Ft. Lauderdale. Hubby was in baggage clearance and I went ahead to get into the lengthy line for our connection.
When the shuttle reached terminal 4, a young indigenous man from somewhere in our hemisphere held the door open for me. I told him thank you and he gave me a warm smile. You know what amazed me - after he held the door for me he took off running to catch his own flight.
It's never as bad as people think. I was touched.
lumberjack_jeff
(33,224 posts)We're hardwired to want to try to help people. If that help is met with hostility, it causes people to reevaluate what help means.
When it comes to holding doors, there's a kind of conflict. At a glance you have to try to assess if the person for whom you're considering holding the door would appreciate it.
malaise
(269,054 posts)Decades ago my best friend and I were on a bus in New York and we got up for a visibly elderly lady to sit - she screamed at us - "What do you think - that I'm old"? We had to hold back the laughter, but that never stopped us from doing what we thought was right.
Scuba
(53,475 posts)malaise
(269,054 posts)but even that is a stretch
It was just genuine kindness - respect for older women perhaps - the young man was well brought up by his folks and had probably just spent thanksgiving with them.
It was very sweet.
Uncle Joe
(58,366 posts)Thanks for the thread, malaise.
malaise
(269,054 posts)Uncle Joe
(58,366 posts)Peace to you.
BainsBane
(53,035 posts)I think it's nice.
malaise
(269,054 posts)for us last week as if they were breathing normally. It's basic manners. I love good manners.