Should the saying "ladies first" be phased out?

[Anonymous]

we're all equal right? so women should not be getting special things like that. woman specific chivalry stands in the way of feminism and equality, it should be abolished.

[lukeD]

okay well it really all depends on the relationship the context is applied to. If I feel like holding he door open for some random girl, of course I'm going to do it... that's just my decision. But say a girl doesn't hold the door for me, say my hands are full with papers or I'm just right behind her... if she doesn't open the door for me she's not being a feminist she's being rude. Now if we look at ladies first for a purpose like yeah you can cut in front of me because you have less items in the grocery line or you look rushed then that's just being polite. Id expect anyone to do the same for me. Finally if we look at the saying "women and children first," we are really making a claim that women, or the ones responsable for most of the birthing process and basically life as we know it get saved first. we are really just saying that we want to continue the chances of life on the planet to continue or that we want our loved ones who can actually carry on a potential part of me as the male (in the case of a pregnant woman)...

To sum it all up this basic phrase means to either just be a common decent human being, just a s a reminder to men. or its a phrase that helps continue the miracle of life whether it is providing an act of sacrifice for an equal worthy cause or its a sacrifice so that another can have that benifit. so really I say no it shouldn't be phased out but it should be looked at with open eyes instead of the eyes of a radical.

[AndyWes]

Only if we believe women are equal. If they are, then there should be no case of "ladies first." And on a related note, on ships, it would be ridiculous and likely get people killed to try, "Women and children first." Think about it.

Firstly, you're claiming women's lives are more valuable. Children (infant to 13 or so, not to 18) are weak and nearly defenseless, but we believe in equality, not in gender bias saying women are better than men. So why should we have men die for women they don't even know?

Also, look back, at the Titanic, the most famous case of women and children first. You know part of why so many people died? A huge amount of the lifeboats left without being filled. I don't have the exact numbers in front of me (I can get them if a smart alec challenges me, haha) but the cold fact was plenty of men died so women could have more legroom in liferafts.

Think about it. A sinking ship. You know how long a tearful goodbye takes, between father and wife and children? Multiply that by 500.

Boom. You get the Titanic. Now look at that recent shipwreck off the coast of Italy, where women railed about how it "Wasn't no women and children first!"

A. The shipwreck happened right off a coast, and not in freezing water in the ocean.

B. No women and children first.

If I recall correctly, less than 50 people died. And it was a bigger ship than the Titanic.

[XRabbitHeartX]

I'm not much of a feminist. I believe in the idea of equal rights, equal salaries for the same job and such but socially the feminist movement is sorta taking it too. Holding the door for the girl or pulling out the chair has absolutely nothing to do about equality. It has to do with respect and simply being a gentleman. It's not about "oh we're equal, let's both try and get through the door at the same time". There's a line between just having nice manners and wanting to treat a lady special and equal rights as a whole. Having someone open the car door for you isn't a "right". It's just something nice. I don't see how equal rights has anything to do with chivalry. That's why I'm really not into feminism. Those women who are so opposed to things like chivalry are ruining it for the ladies like us who actually like being a lady and being treated like a lady. I don't even have a problem with the man being the head of the house. As long as my husband treats me with respect I'm happy! And don't even get me started on how some hardcore feminists have issues with girls like me who are fine with the "head of house" idea.

[Botchie]

Perfect answer :)

[xzinax2]

i don't really hear people saying it anymore,except from my older teachers. the only time I've heard it used by anyone younger is towards guys as a joke,i often open doors for guys,and if it's one of my friends,i usually say ''ladies first''. even the ''women and children first'' is done with,remember the italian cruise ship wreck? every man/woman for themselves.

[crazymuch]

yup, it does not matter anymore nowadays although I would love to still get that special treatment.:-)

[Anonymous]

I don't understand the problem unless someone can explain how chivalry harms women's equality. Fact is that nature did not make the genders equal and customs developed around that. Yes, rights and opportunities should be equal. It's still considered polite and shows women respect. In my experience most women appreciate the gesture but do not necessarily expect it anymore.

[ThatBritishLad]

Meh, I do that: I'm still quite old fashioned and gentlemanly (I think my username is an example xD)

Say, if you took away my burning hatred for children, South London, Conservatives and Ricky Gervais, I would be a delight to live with :D

[AllDay]

My friends friend on here created an amazing quote.

"Treat every girl as your queen but see her as your equal"

Saying ladies first doesn't make you any less of a man

[suzyDD]

young guys hold open doors 4 me every day (and some of them smile too !) so I'm not equal !

[sarcasticbella]

I don't necessarily think that chivalry hinders a women's ability to be regarded as equal.

[handsomejackk]

My man, if we could abolish feminism, I would wear a t-shirt that said ladies first.

[Anonymous]

Interestingly, the only time I hear it said in a non-joking way is by guys.

[Anonymous]

I think manners and equality are 2 different issues.

[Anonymous]

No just shows that chivalry is still alive

[Anonymous]

yeah it should I suppose