Men and Women: Who's serving who?

[John Eric Tiessen]

Over my last four years in High School I have been snubbed at every corner in the romantic sense. That said I set out to make myself into a gentleman, determined to treat women with dignity and respect. Not to look them as objects but to treat them as equals! You know what? I am still getting snubbed.

"What does this have to do with servitude?" You ask. Well in the classic sense a gentleman serves women and treats them with respect. This does not mean that women like gentlemen though. Women like men who are strong and confident, who are unpredictable and wild. (I am generalizing I know) Who will sweep them off their feet and give them a challenge when it comes to "civilizing" them. A gentlemen is no challenge. I can infer your questionable looks at this point. So on to the main course!

If men and women are truly equal now then why do women seem to desire men who make them subservient to them? This is in tandem with the trend that women are now just as much about looks as guys are. This has resulted in many popped pills and a major expansion of the personal trainer industry. So clearly both men and women are looking to impress with their looks and personalities. So who holds the upper hand now, and who is serving who? Are women choosing to become subservient to men who have domineering personalities, or are men becoming subservient to women? Since women are now gaining more degree's it is now more likely that the woman is the bread winner. So why choose the man who thinks he is in charge? Gender roles are blurring and we could use some definitions I think. You know, besides just saying "they're equal."

[Lily Argetfricai]

Speaking about gender roles and gentlemen from a girls perspective of why "women do not like gentlemen (or why I don't).

Most often the definition of a gentleman is a guy who opens doors, gives his seat up and helps girls carry stuff... well, all of those things make me feel completly useless and weak, I can open my own door thankyouverymuch. Besides, I don't see many gentlemen helping another guy carry things. Also, when I try to do this kind of things for guys or girls I either get the oddest looks ever. To me, at its very core, being a gentleman is a sexist thing (not that gentlemen are sexists but that the tradition is); like the no-hitting-girls rule, it is not not-hitting-people-less-strong but girls, just because we happen to be born with two X chromosomes.

And as much as I hate the answer "they're equal" I think that is what (as to not generalize) I want in a relationship (be with friends or boyfriends) someone who treats me no different than how they would treat another guy or their annoying little sister, no one serving and no one domineering.