A Bit O' Chivalry....not a shrubbery

Women's Lib is great and all, but wanting to change the toll booth to say "staffed" instead of "manned" - I think that goes a little far (I found *that* ongoing argument on some webpage, geesh)... BUT can we all agree that we like it when a guy opens the door for us? That's what I thought. In China, I think Women's lib prevails - well, okay, I think the more operative phrase is "every man (uh, "person") for themselves...

In my limited 5 months of observation and quick study here in China, I have learned (some of which have made memorable blog entries):
1. Not to leave a space in line in front of you because someone WILL take it
2. Pushing and cutting people off in line or in traffic is acceptable - it seems you have the "righter" of way if you are older and/or have the the larger total mass (be it a body or a cement truck) - I didn't realize my years of basketball defensive training would come in so handy.
3. Beware where you walk or what puddle you step in - it ain't just water, trust me. If you hear it go "squish" under your feet, it is best to keep moving and just not look what you just stepped in/on and then proceed to step in the nearest aforementioned puddle to rinse it off).
4. Stay at least 50 ft away from split-crotched children or old men for that matter.
5. Chivalry is dead, or at least I will give them credit and say they never knew about it to begin with... or so I thought (dum, dum, duuummmmm)

And so the story goes...

I'm finished with my Chinese lesson and head off to meet the Tai Tai's for lunch. I get on the elevator with 2 Chinese gentleman and proceed down the express elevator from the 21st floor. Before the bell dings and the door opens I usually have subconsciously decided what kind of mood I am in that day. Lately it seems I have been passive. Its not that I have completely given up, but sometimes fighting for position is just not worth it. Well that, and today I was going to be incredibly early for Tai Tai lunch, so I was in no rush. So when the doors open, I am in la la land, not even paying attention, just assuming the two guys would bump me out of the way. One moment goes by, then the next and I find myself looking up to the two of them looking at me and waiting for ME to get off the elevator first. I thanked them in Chinese and then added a little hop to my step because I honestly couldn’t believe that just happened.

Now, I’m walking to the outside glass door and I see another Chinese gentleman approaching it. I do a quick physics calculation and realize that the two speeding trains will reach the entrance to the door at the same time, but will they make a sound? Okay, so I really did the impromptu physics calculation and also noted his BMI was bigger than mine and so I paused at the door and stepped to the side. As I did this, I glanced up to recalculate and he had slowed down, paused even and... actually took his hand and gestured for me to go, ehm, FIRST through the door.

After going through the door I paused to the outside and looked up fully expecting some bird to poo in my eye… but really just looking for the full moon or some other SIGN of martians landing,… the end of the world….locusts…. Nothing? ... I’m still here and don’t have a fever. It was so odd in fact that I called one of my friends immediately to check and confirm my story that it was indeed a miracle. I’ve drafted letters to the Vatican and the Dali Lama, but maybe all I need to do is thank 3 Chinese mom’s out there for teaching their sons just a bit of chivalry and giving me such a nice boost for the day.