So I thought to myself, "Self...you deserve a treat! Go and get yourself a $10 Salad, you deserve it!" I have to admit, I'm pretty generous with myself.
So I headed over to Sub Station, my favorite sandwich shop. They sell the best sub-sandwiches, but they also have the cleanest, freshest, crispiest salad bar in the world! A large to-go salad with a small drink comes to $10.05 and that's why I call it the $10 salad.
As I was walking up to the door there was a gentleman ahead of me. We
both got to the door at the same time and he of course held it open for me and said, "Here, let me get that." Or maybe it was, "Here you go", or "Woman, get your butt in here cause it's hot and I'm hungry." Whatever it was, he was nice enough to hold the door for me. I thanked him graciously.
Now, here's the dilemma. I walked in first, and of course there is a line. Do I then offer him to go first as obviously if he had not held the door and let me go in first he would have been ahead of me. Do I go ahead and just assume because I'm a woman and he's a chivalrous man that he would just expect me to go ahead of him? Do I offer him to go ahead of me? Ack!!! What to do, what to do!
I had to make a spur of the moment decision so I just went ahead of him and didn't offer to let him go first. Now my heart is heavy and I feel like I did the wrong thing and I can't eat my salad...well I can't eat it as quickly because I am typing and sharing this story with you. But anyway...what say you? What should I have done? What would you do in a situation like that?
Ok in this post
ReplyDeleteWell consulting Sextant's Manual of the Navigation of Proper Etiquette:
ReplyDeletePre 1968 you would be right to take his place in line.
Post 1968 you should have offered your (his) place to him because we are now all equal and there is no reason to assume the chivalry extends beyond the door. If he declined then take his spot with no guilt. If however you had a rather extensive order that would take a while to fill, then you should insist that he goes first.
I don't think the whole thing is worthy of your heart feeling heavy. But, if it will make you feel better you can send a contrition payment of $50 to me, and I will grant you lightness of heart and forgiveness for your breech of etiquette.
Maybe it's just me, and how I was raised but if a man opens the door for me, it is generally assumed that I am to take my place ahead of him on whatever line I end up in. (not to say that you race there) but maybe next time you could make a hand gesture of paving the way in front of him. If he's a true gentleman, then he'll graciously decline to which end you've done your duty and can take your (rightful) place in line. Oh, the hurdles we jump for "equality" :))
ReplyDeleteSextant's reply is too funny. $50.00 =O
ReplyDelete