Why are ladies first?

Question

Do you abide by this rule and do you think its fair? Why did it start and why is it continued?

Answer 1

A tradition way back hundreds of years ago. Women are the weaker sex so they are given the priviledge to go first.
Only a few observe that nowadays as chivalry is dead.
l honestly like it and appreciate a man who does it for me.
lt doesn't mean l'm weak-looking. lt's just like this:
l opened the door for you not because you are a lady but because l'm a gentleman.

Answer 2

Speculation abounds about the origin of this tradition. Some say it began during Victorian times. Others believe it stemmed from men being concerned about assassination attempts and walking behind women when entering or exiting buildings. We don't know if they were using the women as shields, or if they were being chivalrous in fending off rear attacks.
Our favorite answer, however, comes from "By the Light of My Father's Smile," by Alice Walker: "It is because, in the early days, if we were permitted to walk behind the man, we would run away. If we were kept in front, they could keep an eye on us."

According to Chabad.org, a site that reports on Judaism and the Torah, the "ladies first" rule is a very old tradition. The story goes that when Moses was instructed to inform the people of Israel about the Torah, he was told to "speak to the house of Jacob, and tell the sons of Israel." Since the house of Jacob appears first in the instructions, and it refers to women, the theory follows that Moses had to speak first with the ladies. Probably a smart political move.

Answer 3

I suppose that it started way back in Medieval times when sex roles were rigid, the places of men in women in society were very segregated, and women were not given the same opportunities as men. Since men had certain advantages in society that women did not, women were given certain privileges that men didn't have in order to compensate.

As a part of becoming a knight, a young valet had to learn certain virtues, such as honor valor, honesty, etc. These values were collectively known as "chivalry". One of these knightly virtues was "devotion to the opposite sex". I suppose that this was the time when certain customs, such as holding a door for a lady, pulling out a lady's chair, and letting ladies to be served first, evolved as a way of separating the "gentlemen" (minor nobles) from the common, uneducated masses.

I think that, to some extent, chivalry is outdated, since most modern ladies aren't obligated to serve men, so why should men be obligated to serve ladies? A relationship should be based on mutual concern for the other person irregardless of their sex, not just on women getting more, or better than, the man. A woman who is always concerned with what she is getting out of the date, without thinking about the man, is probably too selfish a person for me. We can take turns being "first".

Answer 4

"All societies are based on rules to protect pregnant women and young children. All else is surplussage, excrescence, adornment, luxury, or folly which can -- and must -- be dumped in emergency to preserve this prime function. As racial survival is the only universal morality, no other basic is possible. Attempts to formulate a "perfect society" on any foundation other than "Women and children first!" is not only witless, it is automatically genocidal. Nevertheless, starry-eyed idealists (all of them male) have tried endlessly -- and no doubt will keep on trying." - Robert A. Heinlein (1907-1988)

Words I happen to agree with (far more eloquent then I could ever be).

Answer 5

It's true that in our society women are discriminated against and generally treated with lower status than men. I think the "ladies first" rule is an attempt to make up for that by treating women better in one respect, which tries to make up for discriminating against us in so many other areas. I appreciate the try.

Answer 6

Uh yeah! I think it's fair! Because we're better! We thought it up first. If they were smarter they would have thought of it. Would you want to hold the door open for THEM? Think of it as a form of female worship, or they're slaves...whatever helps you enjoy it!

Answer 7

I never thought to wonder why... I just abide by the rule because it makes women think I'm a gentleman! And thus it gets me laid.

Answer 8

Woman bear children,we wouldn't be here if they can't keep us in the womb.Yes woman should come first,out of respect and I think it's more than fair with the pain they put up with to bring us/ our children into this world...

Answer 9

It's just one of those things.
I don't see a problem with it.
I really don't mind when a guy opens a door for me. I think it's nice. Better than a slap on the butt right?

Answer 10

Because we respect our mothers who are ladies. Or maybe women are more sensitive, so it's better to serve them first or they will get mad or cry. he he!