Why is it that it is women who do this? (at least to me)?

Question

I used to walk one particular pavement on my way to the Underground. It was narrow, but broad enough for three women to walking abreast. On a number of occasions I had to step into the road into the face of oncoming traffic to get past them (they were coming towards me), and on a number of occasions the look I was given seemed to be 'hostile.' Also, walking through shop doors: I stand and hold them open, and so few women (and some men) ever bother to acknowledge me efforts with a 'thanks.'

There is maybe no answer, but I want to register my resentment at this, the rudeness or indifference.

Answer 1

I have to admit I have noticed this but it isn't just in London! I always say please and thank you always try to make enough room for people to pass and also always hold the door open for others however, I have noticed that a lot of old people seem to expect the door to be held for them, families tend to take up the full pavement - I will walk round a buggy/pram and small children but I refuse to move out of the way if dad is walking by the side as well as I'm not stepping in the road just because he is in full blown conversation with his child in the buggy! Also as I no longer live in the UK i was shocked when I returned and travelled on the bus as a women in front of me struggled to get on the bus with 2 children and a buggy not one man offered to help... in the end I did which meant leaving all my shopping in a pile and hoping no one swiped it. Then when she got on the full bus no one offered her a seat even though she had a toddler and a baby where are peoples manners? Today I saw the exact opposite a woman helped on the bus with her young child and then said child seated on an elderly woman's lap so she didn't have to stand. That is how it should be!

Answer 2

I have always held doors open for people, male or female. I find a similar problem here in Budapest where I am currently living. Walking along a path, both in the middle, I move over to one side. 9 times out of 10, the other person will move over to the same side shortly after, forcing me to do the polite thing again. With the 3 abreast situation, I have now got to the point where, if they don't narrow down to 2, I just stop dead, forcing them to move. If you knew what the drivers were like here, you wouldn't step out onto the road :) Now, on the feminist thing, if you hold the door open for one and you get the question "I hope you are not holding the door open because I'm a woman", the reply is "No, because I'm a gentleman". Stay being polite my friend, you're a better person for it.

Answer 3

I think it is both. No one seems to care apparently for courtesy, manners and moving aside for another. Like you I was walking once on the track, 3 girls coming towards me, walking the wrong way. Apparently they thought they would get me off the path, I stood my ground. Two ended up walking in a section of grass, the other while passing me rubbed against my arm. I kept walking. Yet the rudeness is terrible this day and age.
To open a door getting no response, to picking up something someone has dropped, stores just as bad.
Perhaps if some read our answers they will pass the word how rude and uncaring some people have become. Maybe indeed that will be an eye opener to all.

Answer 4

Are you male or female -as 'Sash' can be either?

Well if you're female it may be just because you're more attractive than the girls who force you on the pavement-although that doesn't explain why the men going through shop doors are impolite. I'd say whether you're male or female there are always rude people who don't appreciate what you do for them, although sometimes it's not their fault and they don't mean to be rude as they are genuinely distracted by something or perhaps so engrossed with their conversation they don't realise they're forcing you into the road.

Answer 5

What is 'walking abreast'?

I love it when someone (guy or girl) opens the door for me. I always thank them. In fact, I think it's INCREDIBLY rude NOT to open the door. I would like a good ole brawl with the femanists who battled men for the door. I'd win!

I have a 5 1/2 month old baby and getting the door open with carseat, stroller, baby, and grear in two is a b*tch.

Thanks for all the doors you've opened without a thank you!! You are appreciated!!

Answer 6

I have seen so much of this weird behaviour lately, so do not know why people have to behave like that, its very threatening and unnecessary too, I think feminism has gone to a lot of women's heads and in the wrong way too, sorry, but I like to be treat like a lady, have doors opened for me, I also always say thank you too, long live good manners and may feminism grow old and fade away.

Answer 7

It's a girly thing and very stupid, you see it all the time. Instead of walking single file on a narrow path for example, women will block it to oncomers. So too if they have prams. The list is actually endless. Just resign yourself to female silliness. You certainly won't beat them!!!

heavenlyhaggis

Answer 8

I know some people just don't have the manners they were born with now a days. I hate it when people stand in the middle of the path chatting or having a cig and don't move to one side to let you pass. Is it so hard for them to move aside.

Its not just women though men do it too.

Answer 9

Some people just don't have any good manners now a days. It's sad really, because the lack of respect they show others reflects on the type of person they really are. I use to keep my mouth shut and not say anything to people like that, but now I'm more likely to comment on their rudeness. I know that is rude also, but I refuse to be treated like a lesser person.

Answer 10

as a woman i can tell you 100% that most find politeness and chrivary charming, you may be interpreting the hostile looks as puzzlement as its so rare for them to see good manners, do these actions because it makes you feel good..it will be a bonus when someone actually notices, i think all one can do is treat people as you want to be treated yourself and you cant go wrong.I hope readers think about saying ta a bit more often when someone holds open a door..it might be you