Friday, January 30, 2009

Running and Rudeness at the Elevator

I am feeling so good to get back into my workout routine. I am in bed by 930 or so and I am up at 445 for a good sweat. I have completed two bike rides, one swim and a run so far this week. I am way off my volume, but it I am over the hump in getting my butt in gear. This morning it was a brisk 25 degrees outside and the sidewalks were still icy in spots. However, at 0530 there is not much traffic on the roads, so the sidewalks are not a necessity. My run buddy (who has not run much in the last month and had minor surgery on her legs) was ready for a nice easy run. We did a very easy 3.5 miles in a little over 30 minutes. It felt good to sweat and even the sting of the cold on my face was pleasant.

Now for a Friday complaint—What is it with women in big cities (and it may be Yankee women(lets see who I piss off with that comment)) that makes them appear to think that a polite man is after something? This morning I was in the elevator in my parking garage and just as the door was shutting (these elevators are slow), I saw a woman with her hands full come into in the elevator lobby, so I help the door so that she would not have to put everything down and wait on a lift. She mumbled a half hearted thank you and looked at me like I was some creep at a bar who used a bad line on her.

This attitude is fairly prevalent. My wife, who is from NYC, has told me that bigger city women are not used to anyone actually being polite. It is viewed as a method of either manipulation, an attempt to get something, or that some women view it as they are being seen as weak. If that is true, that is very sad. I was raised to be a polite and to be a gentleman. But then politeness doesn’t really exist anymore. So I would welcome any comments or experiences. I am craving enlightenment on this topic.

5 comments:

Fe-lady said...

Don't let their rude behavior change yours...keep smiling and opening doors. I would thank you kindly!

Rainmaker said...

Next time you see her coming toward the elevator you ought to do the massive fake "I'm trying to get to the elevator door in time but I can't because I'm moving in slo-mo" move. Just sayin'...

Trishie said...

I am super impressed with your workout routine - up early and running in the cold isn't easy.

As for the rudeness... on behalf of all northern women, I apologize ;) When someone IS polite enough to hold the elevator, open a door for me, etc. I make sure to smile and say thank you. When I'm carrying bags, however, and someone asks if they can help, I usually offer a polite "no thanks, I got it!" ... I don't trust people - men OR women - not to run off with my stuff. My $0.02.

Calyx Meredith said...

Please don't stop being a gentleman (or just a thoughtful person who happens to be a guy)! I really appreciate doors being held for me when I have my hands full. Yes, I could get it if I had to - but how nice not to have to. I try to be aware of other people enough to see when I can be helpful too. Maybe it is a cultural thing (N-S) but we can try to spread the kindness up instead of letting the too-busy-to-bother spread down, eh?

CoachLiz said...

Continue to have good manners and be polite, it freaks women out. LOL! If you had refused to hold the door here in Texas, you would have been viewed as a major a-hole.