Ladies First – Is it respectful or not?

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  • #1178392
    Lilmod Ulelamaid
    Participant

    GAW: ???? ????? ?? ??? ???? ?? ??? ???? ???? ?? ??? ???? ?? ??? ??? ???? ????? ?? ????? ?? ???? ?? ?? ??? ????? ???? ?? ??????

    Keddushin 2B. Al Kein, the man has to convince the woman to marry him by being nice to her (such as holding the door and buying flowers), not vice versa.”

    Hear hear!

    #1178393
    lesschumras
    Participant

    LU, it just occurred to me that walking in street is no longer a problem. Everyone walks around now with their face buried in a smartphone , not looking where they are going

    #1178394
    golfer
    Participant

    Your point being, lesschum?

    That shmiras einayim is now achieved by burying one’s face in a smartphone?

    Something is wrong with this picture.

    Literally.

    #1178395
    Lilmod Ulelamaid
    Participant

    Golfer – I think Lesschumras was joking (hopefully).

    LC: Boruch Hashem, I know different people than you, and most people I know don’t walk around with smartphones. Definitely not the type of guys I would date (new question to ask Shadchanim: does he walk around with a smartphone?)

    #1178396
    lesschumras
    Participant

    It was a joke

    #1178397
    lesschumras
    Participant

    LU, I was in Manhattan recently and I couldn’t believe the number of people crossing streets, walking on stairs while staring at phones tablets.

    #1178398
    apushatayid
    Participant

    A city in Germany installed traffic lights in the sidewalk to combat distracted walking. The city experienced a number distracted pedestrians walking into traffic.

    #1178399
    Lilmod Ulelamaid
    Participant

    LC- Boruch Hashem, I have rarely ever had to go to Manhattan in my life! I think I was there 3 times in the past 10 years.

    Where I live, I rarely see smartphones.

    But, that does sound really scary! I have occasionally texted while walking down the sidewalk but not while crossing the street! I even try to avoid talking on the phone while crossing the street as it can be dangerous.

    #1178400
    gavra_at_work
    Participant

    LU, I was in Manhattan recently and I couldn’t believe the number of people crossing streets, walking on stairs while staring at phones tablets.

    I think Manhattan has a more pressurized lifestyle than most of us are used to, and those people feel the need to be “on the clock” every waking minute. I imagine most areas (perhaps London & Tokyo are similar) are not like that.

    #1178401
    Chortkov
    Participant

    Yes.

    #1178402
    bklynmom
    Participant

    Let me ask the question this way: When a girl walks in front of a Frum boy, is she doing something similar to what the lady in your hypothetical case is doing if she KNOWS that there are men who will be deliberately watching her?

    Answer is NO!!!

    #1178403
    apushatayid
    Participant

    According to several etiquette sites the “custom” for men to hold open doors for women was a matter of practicality. Women wore corsets and very wide skirts, opening doors wasbt easy. The reason may have changed but the custom seems to have remained.

    #1178404
    Joseph
    Participant

    So let’s leave the Western customs for the Christians while we’ll stick to the Jewish ones.

    Btw, apy, did you yet answer the question I posed to you on the previous page for “a logical explanation why one way is better than the other” (i.e. men going first versus women going first – or men opening the door for women over women opening the door for men)?

    #1178405
    Joseph
    Participant

    limud, let’s even put dating aside, since your (and gaw’s) response to the question I posed to apy related to allowing women first on dates. Let me ask you about in general.

    Do you have a logical explanation for why one way is better than the other, i.e. going first or who opens the door for the other, in life in general? IOW, when you pass a stranger of the opposite gender, do you think the gender should play a role as to who goes first or who opens the door?

    #1178406
    Lilmod Ulelamaid
    Participant

    Joseph: My impression is that your position the whole time was: Why should we care what the Goyim do, and base our ideas of wrong and right on the Goyim?

    This is a very valid point. I think the answer is that I think we do find that according to Halacha, there are times we are supposed to base our actions on common custom.

    One example would be in terms of Hilchos Brachos, determining if pizza is a “pas haba b’kisnin” in which case you only wash and say Hamotzi if you are eating 2 slices or if it’s not a “pas haba b’kisnin” in which case it is like bread and you wash and say Hamotzi for any amount the same as you do for bread.

    According to Rav Moshe Feinstein,zatsal, pizza is “pas haba b’kisnin” and you only wash and say Hamotzi for 2 slices. This psak is based on the fact that at that time, it was normal for people to eat pizza as a snack. I think someone told me that at that time, people used to buy pizza from vendors on the street or at baseball games and eat it as a snack.

    Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, zatsal, (as quoted in Rav Bodner’s sefer on Hilchos Brachos) poskened that in EY, pizza is not “pas haba b’kisnin” since it is not normally eated as a snack, and t/f in EY, one has to wash and say Hamotzi on any amount of pizza. He was unsure about the US, because at that time, it wasn’t clear what the custom was in the US regarding how common it was to eat pizza as a snack.

    A few years ago, Rav Forscheimer and Rav Bodner poskened that pizza is no longer “pas haba b’kisnin” in the US and one must wash and say hamotzi on any amount of pizza. Their psak was based on the fact that a survey was done showing that the vast majority of Americans do not consider pizza to be a snack. In their psak, they wrote that until now, it was impossible to determine if pizza is considered a snack in the US or not, but now that a survey has been done, we have proof that it is not ordinarily eaten as a snack and t/f it’s not “pas ha ba b’kisnin” and it is pure hamotzi.

    I was very surprised by this psak, as well as the ones from Rav Moshe, Zatsal and Rav Shlomo Zalman, Zatsal, since it means that we base halacha on what the Goyim do. Apparently we do, even when it comes to eating habits, which is something which I would have thought should be determined by your community and not the wider goyish world. It is interesting to me that the way a goy in the US eats pizza makes a bigger difference than what the Yidden in EY do (in terms of determining the halacha for Jews in the US). Like, why should we care that goyim eat pizza on the streets or at baseball games? We’re not even supposed to eat that way. But apparently, according to Halacha it does matter.

    In our case (of ladies first), we are talking about manners and politeness. To me, it seems pretty obvious that manners are determined by the general society that we live in. I think in general, all our standards of politeness are based on the general society in which we live.

    (To anyone reading this: please note that I live in Israel, and Shabbos has been over for a while)

    #1178407
    Lilmod Ulelamaid
    Participant

    Joseph, I apologize, I only read your last post carefully after I wrote my above post, so I didn’t really answer it.

    The answer is that I don’t know. I was only thinking about dating situations. If I were not on a date, I think that I would expect the guy to go first for tznius. Honestly, even on dates, I always wait half a second to see if he will go first, and only if I see that he is expecting me to go first do I go first (since, when it comes to things that aren’t halacha and don’t make me personally uncomfortable, my personal shita has always been that it’s both more polite and more tznius to NOT make an issue out of things – that’s just always been my personal shita, developed by myself. On the other hand, in a situation in which I am personally uncomfortable, I do try to stick to my standards.)

    The guys nearly always expect me to go first, so I do. I noticed though that on the one or two occasions when the guy actually did go first, I did feel somewhat slighted. I think this was because I had gotten used to the other way.

    I’m not 100% sure why it wouldn’t bother me in a non-dating situation even though it does in a dating situation. It might be because I never got used to it in a non-dating situation, because maybe most men I know do go first (as opposed to most guys I go out with who expect me to go first). Or it may be because one of the first guys I ever went out with told me that according to halacha, you are supposed to let the girl go first on a date, and that stuck in my head.

    Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I was in such a situation either on a date or not, so I can’t be sure of how I would feel.

    #1178408
    lesschumras
    Participant

    Joseph, you of all people should know that customs have no basis in logic. There minhagim we continue when the original reason is gone .Why should door opening be any different? One wH of opening the door is no better than the other, it’s simply become a custom.

    #1178409
    Joseph
    Participant

    lilmud, do you see any logical explanation that you can relate as to why one gender should have precedence in going first or having the door opened for them in non-dating situations?

    #1178410
    Lilmod Ulelamaid
    Participant

    lesschumras: the counterargument to your argument is that “minhagim” are Jewish and related to Judaism and religious issues. “Ladies first” comes from the goyim and has nothing to do with Judaism.

    I still think that it may be something we should follow as per my above post, but I’m just pointing out that it doesn’t belong in the same category as a minhag.

    #1178411
    lesschumras
    Participant

    LU, my point was that whether Jewish or not, the reasons why customs continue beyond the original reason have no logic.

    Joseph, we do live in a Western country. We’re citizens not just when it comes to accepting Medicaid , Section 8, bussing and other government benefits. It also means respecting customs involving courtesy

    #1178412
    Lilmod Ulelamaid
    Participant

    Joseph, do you see any logical explanation for why girls should be the ones making the potato kugel or why only women should be helping in the kitchen, or for the comment from Coffee Addict: “Additionally since you are dating, realize guys don’t like being shlugged up during a conversation with a woman (dating or in marriage)”?

    #1178413
    Lilmod Ulelamaid
    Participant

    lesschumras: I hear your point. I think it does answer Joseph’s question (I hadn’t originally thought so because of the way I had been interpreting the question).

    #1178414
    Joseph
    Participant

    lilmod, do you think that, in a non-dating situation, one gender should have precedence in going first or having the door opened for them? If so, which gender and why?

    #1178415
    apushatayid
    Participant

    Reb Joseph. I’m not advocating one way over another. I’m merely saying what society claims is proper behavior whether a logical reason, a stupid reason or no reason at all exists. Therefore, I do not feel compelled or otherwise obligated in any way to answer your question.

    #1178416
    Joseph
    Participant

    apy, Jewish society or gentile society?

    #1178417
    Lilmod Ulelamaid
    Participant

    Joseph, are you asking me personally what I think? I really have no idea. I guess it would depend what the norm is in their society, and I have no idea what most people do. I live in Israel, so it’s probably different anyhow.

    In terms of going first: it seems to me that on the girl’s part, she should let the guy go first because of tznius. On the guy’s part (if the girl didn’t davka indicate that she wants him to go first), I have no idea what he should be doing. He should ask his Rav. If it’s really the norm for men to let ladies go first and she will be insulted if he doesn’t, perhaps he should let her go first, but then wait, so he’s not walking behind her.

    Opening doors: I don’t know what the norm is or what most people expect. I don’t expect anyone to open the door for me, and I never thought anyone expected me to open the door for them. But again, I live in Israel. I did find it a little funny when I dated in America and the guys think they have to open and close the car door for me. I found it very awkward and uncomfortable actually because it’s hard to concentrate on getting in the car tzniusly when this guy is standing there waiting for you to get in so he can close the door. But I guess if that’s the norm there, then people expect it, so it becomes rude when you don’t.

    #1178418
    Joseph
    Participant

    Joseph, do you see any logical explanation for why girls should be the ones making the potato kugel or why only women should be helping in the kitchen

    The kitchen is part of women’s domestic role. The husband can help.

    #1178419
    Lilmod Ulelamaid
    Participant

    Joe, I still am curious to what your answer is to this:

    Joseph, do you see any logical explanation for why girls should be the ones making the potato kugel or why only women should be helping in the kitchen, or for the comment from Coffee Addict: “Additionally since you are dating, realize guys don’t like being shlugged up during a conversation with a woman (dating or in marriage)”?

    #1178420
    Lilmod Ulelamaid
    Participant

    “Joseph, do you see any logical explanation for why girls should be the ones making the potato kugel or why only women should be helping in the kitchen

    The kitchen is part of women’s domestic role. The husband can help.”

    Says who????

    #1178421
    Lilmod Ulelamaid
    Participant

    And Joseph, I am curious to know your opinion of the above quote from Coffee Addict.

    #1178422
    Person1
    Member

    There are much bigger issues to consider in life than who goes through the door first. Honestly you can play chess to decide who does. Or whoever is taller goes first. No one cares.

    What I’m saying is we should distinguish tafel from ikar.

    #1178423
    Lilmod Ulelamaid
    Participant

    Person1 – One way you may be potentially insulting someone, and the other you may be doing something untznius. Not such small issues as they may seem. To a Jew, even a seemingly insignificant matter can be very important.

    Additionally, if you are Frum and there are others around who aren’t, or if you are seemingly more Frum or more learned, every small action can be a Kiddush Hashem or a Chilul Hashem.

    #1178424
    Person1
    Member

    Almost every action has some implications. I think we should save our energy for decisions that have greater impact than givingnot giving precedence to the other gender (I’m talking about the general idea of ladies first and not walking behind women which is halacha matter)

    I doubt this subject would even come up, if it didn’t involve the whole “us vs goyim” battle which seems to excite people for some reason.

    #1178425
    Lilmod Ulelamaid
    Participant

    Person1 – I highly doubt this discussion is taking away from something more important that someone would have been doing instead. BUT, if anyone feels that this discussion is taking them away from a more important Mitzvah, and for sure if it is taking away from anyone’s Limud Torah, they should definitely stop posting.

    #1178426
    Lilmod Ulelamaid
    Participant

    Person1 – Personally, I do think that there are some important issues being raised here, and I would like to hear Joseph’s answers (as long as it’s not taking away from something more important like Limud Torah).

    #1178427
    Person1
    Member

    Very funny (: I wasn’t talking about the energy spent on arguing here, but about the energy spent on deciding whether to go before a lady and acting upon your decision. I suppose I came across as condescending. Sorry for that.

    Let me go back to limud now.

    #1178428
    Joseph
    Participant

    lilmod, I’m not sure that I agree with CA’s comment, so I can’t explain it to you.

    #1178429
    Lilmod Ulelamaid
    Participant

    Joseph: “lilmod, I’m not sure that I agree with CA’s comment, so I can’t explain it to you.”

    Really? I guess I just assumed you would. Glad to hear there are guys who don’t.

    #1178430
    Lilmod Ulelamaid
    Participant

    Person1: I seriously thought you meant the energy spent arguing here :).

    I don’t consider you to be condescending – I have always found you to be very nice, polite, and respectful.

    I hear your point of view, but I do think it’s important – now arguing about that may be a waste of time, and something I certainly don’t have the energy for right now 🙂

    If someone thinks about it ahead of time, when he/she is not in the situation, they won’t have to think too much when they are.

    There is a tznius issue involved, I think, since letting the lady go first can possibly mean walking behind her.

    #1178431
    Person1
    Member

    Does shlugged up means beaten in an argument?

    I guess nobody likes that but if he turns you down for this I doubt it’s such a big loss.

    #1178432
    Lilmod Ulelamaid
    Participant

    Person1: “Does shlugged up means beaten in an argument?

    I guess nobody likes that but if he turns you down for this I doubt it’s such a big loss.”

    🙂 True, but I hear that type of thing often enough to get me nervous that all boys are like that, and I don’t think that would work for me. I mean obviously, I’ll try to be sweet and respectful and all that (even when I’m beating him in an argument), but I can’t help it if I’m intelligent bli ayin hara, and I do need someone who will respect that and appreciate it.

    #1178433
    Person1
    Member

    You’ve probably heard arguments to both sides so many times before… it’s really hard to say anything original.

    I just don’t think anyone knows what most boysgirls want. In particular the idea that women should not look too smart seems strange to me since there are many intelligent girls out there.

    #1178434
    Lilmod Ulelamaid
    Participant

    Person1: Thank you. It’s true that I have heard both sides, but it’s nice to have it confirmed. I guess the ones who think the other way tend to be more vocal and stronger about it, and are also more likely to assume that EVERYONE thinks like them and make me feel bad for not thinking like that, so it’s good to have a reminder that there are other people who don’t think that way.

    Also, I grew up in a very female (and somewhat feminist) house so a lot of these men/women differences are somewhat foreign territory to me, and I do get nervous about having to figure these things out when I get married and finding the right balance that will work for both me and my future husband, IYH. I definitely need to marry someone who will respect and appreciate my intelligence. But no matter who I marry, I still may have to be careful about how I express it.

    #1178435
    kapusta
    Participant

    Lilmod, I dont think it has anything to do with intelligence. As I see it, a man has likely spent many years learning intensely and expects to be the one who is more text based in the relationship (as he has been trained). In that scenario, I can see where it might be off putting for a person (who he has been told is less knowledgeable in text based learning), to start responding with sources from Gemorah and Meforshim and one-upping him on the things he expects to be the stronger one on. It’s not about intelligent or not, just a matter of using the intelligence in a way that won’t ruin everything he’s known about himself until that point.

    #1178436
    lesschumras
    Participant

    Joseph., your concept of responsibility domestic chores went the way of the dodo bird when kollel wives ( being the breadwinner ) and wives of working men ( yeshiva tuition )

    have to work.

    #1178437
    besalel
    Participant

    I heard years ago from someone I trust completely that he observed Rav Moshe hold the door for women.

    How sad is it that we lack common sense sometimes and replace long complicated halachic analysis for common sense. How sad is it that we live in a world where being a decent human has been replaced with “salad and halacha” “holding the door open for women and halacha” “pokemon and halacha” “riding the bus and halacha” “taking your kids to the park and halacha”. you get the point.

    #1178438
    Joseph
    Participant

    That bubbe maaisa about Rav Moshe is a canard. Rav Moshe didn’t open doors for women more than he would open doors for men.

    #1178439
    Lilmod Ulelamaid
    Participant

    Whether the story about Rav Moshe is true or not, “salad and halacha” etc. are EXTREMELY important parts of Yiddishkeit and should not be debased just because there are other EXTREMELY important parts of Yiddishkeit.

    A Jew approaches every situation through the eyes of halacha. A Jew is supposed to analyze every little situation and determine what halacha wants from him. Halacha encompasses many aspects and includes using one’s common sense and sensitivity & middos, etc.

    IF in fact Rav Moshe did hold open the door for women, it was BECAUSE he analyzed the situation from a halachic perspective and decided that it was the right thing to do.

    I will grant that different people’s minds work different, and some people (such as myself) enjoy analyzing every situation and it does not in any way take away from my Ruchius or sensitivity and in fact adds to it. I can understand that there are some who have trouble relating to that approach, and might find it frustrating and annoying. BUT I still believe that it is the Torah approach even if it is hard for some to relate to.

    We are in this world to get close to Hakadosh Baruch Hu. We accomplish that by thinking about each and every action and using it as a means to get close to Hashem. “Ain l’Hakadosh Baruch Hu baolamo elah arbah amos shel halacha bilvad”. By making sure that each action is in accordance with halacha, we can use every action to get close to Hashem and we can achieve the ultimate in bein adam l’chaveiro by bringing the entire world close to Hashem.

    #1178440
    besalel
    Participant

    lilmod: yes and no. the shulchan aruch covers what shoe should be put on first and other minute details but never asks you to put your brain and common sense away. quite the opposite is true.

    joseph: good point but i still accept the eidus.

    #1178441
    Health
    Participant

    Breakdown -“joseph: good point but i still accept the eidus.”

    What’s a good point? And what Eidus?

Viewing 50 posts - 51 through 100 (of 272 total)
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