Reply To: Ladies First – Is it respectful or not?

“apushatayid, can you explain what issue you would have that the accepted practice be that the gal holds open the door for the guy and then walk in after him? Or if he walked in first and then held the door open for her to come in after?

When and where was this so-called “minhag” picked up from that the guy is mechuyev to go in after the girl – and that he must open the door for her rather than she for him?

I’d like a logical explanation why one way is better than the other.”

That’s an excellent question.

I think it goes together with other things you’ve written about accepted differences in men and women’s roles.

If you want your wife to make potato kugel for you when you’re married, you should start out by opening doors for her when you’re dating. It might make her more inclined to want to make potato kugel for you.