Now that we’ve hashed out Mi Yichya Umi Yomis, lets get back to the original hot topic. Opening the door for the girl.
Two points disconcert me greatly, from some of the comments I see. One is that some have proposed that the guy can open the door for the girl but then scatter before she gets in, and let her close it herself. Reason being, due to the potential tznius issue involved post-opening the door. Well, this shouldn’t be the case. Why does this issue exist? She should be dressed modestly, meaning any normal activity — i.e. getting into a car — does NOT pose a tznius breach. The fact that in reality we all know this IS a problem, tells us that too many of us are not upholding tznius appropriately.
Second, I completely agree with the posters that pointed out this concept of opening the door comes from the goyim. Like has been raised, the vice versa situation would be considered “weird”. (i.e. the girl opening the door for the guy.) This belies the myth that the opening of the door has anything to do with mentchlichkeit issues. Next, will these prima donnas expect the guys to pull out their chairs for them to sit?
Rambam states that “we find that every woman performs five tasks for her husband. She spins, washes his face, hands, and legs, pours his drink, makes the bed, and serves him. There are six tasks some women do and some don’t: grind and bake and cook, wash, nurse children, and feed the animals.” Is this Rambam okay with the goyim or must we update our halachas for the 21st Century?