Real Men Still Do This

I was at lunch with a new friend the other day and, as a matter of course, as we were leaving the café, I opened the store’s door for her. Her reaction was one of utter surprise! She asked me if opening doors was an “English thing”! I replied no, it’s a “real man” thing.

It’s a complete joke!

You may have heard the joke that if you see a man opening a car door for a lady then it’s either a new lady or a new car. Unfortunately, this joke appears to be, in fact, reality. This is tragic! It’s so sad when a man does not think enough of the lady in his company so as to perform this simple act of kindness. It’s even more heartbreaking when a husband does not do this for the woman to whom he has pledged his life.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies… – Ephesians 5:25, 28

Opening the door to a future filled with real men

I think it’s time we fixed this. I want the world in which my niece grows up to be one in which men are real men…gentleman. The opening of doors is, obviously, a very small part of this, but I think this small act of love is a good place to begin and place from which a more authentic masculinity can be nurtured.

There is need for a crusade of manliness and purity to counteract and undo the savage work of those who think that man is a beast. – St. Josemaría Escrivá, Founder of Opus Dei

So, I’d like to suggest that it’s time to apply a little bit of peer pressure. I believe that if men know they will be held to a higher standard, they will rise to the occasion (just like children and pets!). If more is expected, more will be given.

Peer pressure is regularly used to the detriment of real masculinity, but I think it’s now time it became a part of the solution rather than simply being involved in the problem.

The Challenge!

The website Art of Manliness has a great article entitled “The Ins and Outs of Opening a Door for a Woman”:

So, here’s the plan. If you’re reading this and you would like to see more gentlemen in this world, flood the social media sites! Please share the article on Facebook, Google+, Twitter etc.

Ladies, over the next few days tell your male friends about this blog post and mention to them how much you appreciate it when a man extends to you this small kindness.

And guys…c’mon, it’s time to step up.