I don’t usually do this and probably never will again because I’m not a celebrity hound or a golf fan, but I’m busy at my day job and don’t have time to do significant blogging (are those enough qualifiers?). *Taking a breath*
So I decided to post about one single Tiger Woods trait that I love: The tipping of the hat to the crowd. Other golfers may do it, too, but there’s something about the way he does it… 
Oh! I almost forgot: Tiger Woods has been lassoed.
More from Outside the Beltway.
Update (10/7): Let’s expand on this post a bit. Ladies, what do you miss (or have only seen in old movies) about gentlemanly behavior? Men, exercising my feminine prerogative, this post is about what we woman want. I’ll ask what you want/miss in a different post on a different day, OK?
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LaShawn, it’s not just to the crowd. Somewhere along the way men stopped taking off hats for the greeting after the round, to shake hands. Tiger started that tradition back again and now everyone does it. It’s a sign of respect to your playing partners.
Whatever the reason, I dig it!
I agree that he tips his hat well. A gentleman will do that.
P.S. I sent you an email about something personal but am unsure if it arrived. If it did not, I will send it again.
Well, if it’s a proposal, I’m already spoken for!
Just kidding.
I’ll check my inbox.
Now you have left me crushed. : )
Now that Tigers married, maybe he can FOCUS on his game!
Tiger is good, but my man is Vijay Singh; currently ranked #1. Among other reasons, Mr. Singh, when asked about the presence of Annika Sorenstam in a men’s tournament last year, replied something like “she ought not be here”.
Tiger Woods is a class act, period.
La Shawn my faith in you as a cultured woman is restored since you blogged about Tiger and golf.
My wife and I are going to be in DC in November to be interviewed for a TV show. We’ll buy you a latte’ if the timing and location works out.
Tiger Woods! Tiger Woods! That’s all I hear. For years, the American golf enthusiasts wished for a hero in the spirit of Arnold Palmer. Tiger, for whatever reasons (I’m not going into a Rush Limbaugh/Donovan McNabb thing here) seemed to fit the bill.
He hit the golifing world like gangbusters, and still evidently remains much beloved.
I still am pulling for Vijay. His #1 ranking, at age 41, should inspire all of us late-bloomers who did not make it big in our teens or early twenties. Plus the Sorenstam comment.
La Shawn,
Black men of generation born 80 or more years ago, always won hats even in the summer. Even in DC they wore hat that was well-ventilated, that they would tip to friends and always to ladies. JFK in Washington seemed to start hatless trend. The sixties seemed to end such things as hat tiping. It is something that was seen to be against female liberation. Tiger is taking his hat off to show appreciation of his fans! DC was considered Southern city by anyone from New England. Maybe some of the old ways seem good to the modern, educated, and conservative women to today?
JMB
I agree, James. I definitely like some of the old ways. I miss what I never had. The early part of the feminist movement was revolutionary, and I am thankful for it. But being the fallen humans we are, it went too far and turned radical and ridiculous. This generation of young men has not been socialized to understand the many differences between “lady” and “woman”, for example, at least as far as I can tell from their behavior. The breakdown in socialization happened in the generation before my own, so parents certainly can’t give to children what they themselves don’t have. It’s a shame.
Gotta agree with ya there, La Shawn
It is so rare to find a true gentleman these days, La Shawn. Even men who are exceptional seem to miss the boat on the little things — hat tipping, opening/holding doors, etc. It’s not just about treatment of ladies (though that’s nice) but about an innate desire to make others feel valued.
Thanks for pointing out something positive in our fallen world.
)
Quoting La Shawn: “The early part of the feminist movement was revolutionary, and I am thankful for it. But being the fallen humans we are, it went too far and turned radical and ridiculous. This generation of young men has not been socialized to understand the many differences between “lady” and “woman”, for example, at least as far as I can tell from their behavior.”
*sighs* You are spot on, La Shawn. When you run for president, please let me know so I can join your campaign
Uh No – Ladies in here ‘Exhalin’
I’m trying to teach my 2 sons some of the old school behaviors. So far so good. They are ~15 and 11.
When ever I hold the door for someone, I usually get a very friendly smile and a thank you. *sniff* Feel the luv!
Hey, I was in Star Bucks in Owings Mills Maryland, and this young lady walks in and flashes this big pretty smile as we made eye contact. You know how RARE that is?
Made me feel warm all inside (or did I spill my coffee down the front of my shirt? LOL).
But seriously. A smile is the most valuable thing we have that we can give away freely (hey who put this soapbox here).
Ladies, don’t walk around FROWNIN so much! Give a us fellas a smile every so often!
JJ
John, I certainly would have a big smile waiting for you should we ever meet.
But you make a good point that I don’t overlook: in general, women aren’t socialized in those behaviors anymore, either.
Oops – sorry, John – hope you didn’t take what I said to mean that I thought all men were ogres! Quite the opposite. I find studying them fascinating
I just agree with La Shawn that our culture is so bass ackwards now that some learn early on that the feminuts don’t want their doors held for them, etc.
my mama taught me to always open a door for a lady, and never walk in front of your woman. (Lady and woman are interchangable.)
Awe Shucks LB – you know how to make a fella smile all over himself.
And I really like it when men sitting at a table stand up when a woman (excluding the waitress) walks up to the table.
Hey, everybody, please check out the update to this post.
Now if men were just as courteous on the road when they are driving as they are when you’re face to face with ‘em, it’d REALLY be a treat
**running and ducking for cover**
** our culture is so bass ackwards now that some learn early on that the feminuts don’t want their doors held for them, etc.**
Sister T, you and LB are right.
For a long time I would hold doors but be apologetic about it. Adding qualifiers like “I’m from the old school, It is still OK if I hold this for you isn’t it?”
Now I just don’t care. If its going to be a race for the door handle . . . let the race begin!
I love catching a ‘modern’ woman a couple of steps in front of me and quickly grabbing the door handle and opening the door. I love it!!
Ogers? LOL!! Some of us can be! LOL!
While it is anecdotal, I think enough men will chime in to make it cogent:
Nothing can be more discouraging to the gallant behavior you are missing (the ladies above) than the lack of lady like behavior or responses that men often get in return.
More than a few times I’ve held open a door while entering a building, and allowed a woman to enter before me while I hold the door. These days, the two most common responses are:
1) a ‘how dare you’ lecture or rant about the evils my gender and how even holding the door is an act of oppression (response is either walk away, laugh or bait them into sounding more insane)
2) she just walks through without a thank you, a glance or other acknowledgement of courtesy or existence.
Now, I hold the door for most people, behind me for men (if strangers) or ahead of me for women (and men I am with). It is how I was raised, and it requires conscious thought not to do it, or for me to be a real space-case to no notice another person near the door.
But, since (many) young men aren’t being raised to do it, and so many women actively discourage it (by being a word that rhymes with switch) or fail to give positive reinforcement, I am not surprised that so few young men even bother nowadays.
We men, we are often likened to dogs. Often I take that comparison to heart; at our best, we are loyal, protective and true, while at our worst, we are roaming vicious curs. But a dogs is only as good as the training it receives, and the treatment at the hands of his human. The analogy holds up here, I think.
Sister T – Men drivers! DON’T GET ME STARTED HERE! LOL!!!
I’m so glad La Shawn started this topic
This is much more fun than work (shhh – don’t tell the bosses!)
John, what are the reactions you get when you startle these ‘modern’ women? Do they look like they want to slap you? LOL
SCSIwuzzy – So true So true!
Love it when men stand up to greet a lady! That’s wonderful! As I said above, the little things make others feel valued. I try to smile at everyone I meet, and Wuzzy, if you held my door, you can be assured you’d get a smile and a thank-you.
I’m still miffed at a man where I work who didn’t acknowledge me when I held the door for him (his arms were full). It reflects poorly on one’s character not to be grateful for the social graces.
LawWife,
I’m usually a little embarrased when a woman holds the door for me. However, I always smile and thank her.
Sister T – I’ve never been slapped but the body language and the looks I get could scare Osama Bin Laden out of hiding!
John C J:
Let us not forget the women in SUVs… some of the most agressive drivers I run into (here in the NE corridor) are small women in big Explorers, Navigators or what have you. I think it may be akin to Napolean complex
Sister T,
I surprised a mosern woman recently (last Saturday) at a local mall… she called me a neanderthal.
‘For holding a door?’ says I
‘Yes. You assume women are too weak to do things without a man’ says she.
‘Good thing my hands are full with this door. It takes us cavemen two hands to drag women back to the cave’.. to which I was called a certain orrifice.
The funniest part was when her b/f or husband confronted me at the Borders Express about 20 minutes later. Hard to take a man in tevas who’s with a woman like that seriously… the only word I had for him was “and?”
All in all, it made dress shopping with the g/f much more fun, running into feminuts and the men who love them.
Another thing I like is when a man intently looks you in the eye when he’s talking to you — instead of not looking at you when you’re having a conversation. That shows you’ve got his undivided attention
Oh Oh Oh here’s one.
How embarrasing is it when you go to open the door and its heavier than you think! LOL!
That’s too funny!
SCSIwuzzy – That’s too funny! I have never had that happen to me – yet.
{grabbing my pencil – scribbling notes as fast as I can}
Look into eyes intently!
Stand up and great em
John: Ok, I won’t go any further on the driving comments
LawWife: You’re right, it’s the little things that mean so much in everyday life. I said “Good morning” to the clerk at the cash register this morning who rung me up for a couple of things and she looked at me like I’d sprouted two heads.
Wuzzy: wow! Very interesting experience. I bet you got quite a chuckle out of it
I know the feminuts are out there, but maybe I’m just fortunate to not have run into them when holding doors open for womenfolk — I also do it for older men. I imagine my response would be “So sue my parents for my sense of chivalry!”
What the . . . . ??
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=40790
‘Swedish lawmakers have proposed a new tax on those who happen to be men that would go to paying the societal costs of abuse toward women.’
“We have to have a discussion so that men understand that they have a collective financial responsibility.”
Huh????? Tell me this is a joke!
Look I get ready to take notes on the greatest question between men and women – What DO woman want – and the women STOP posting?
Geeezzzz!! Seems we’ll NEVER know!
LOL!
I’m still around, John. Just trying to fit a little work in between posts.
ST – My husband tries to call anyone who is serving us (cashier or whatever) by name. It helps you to see them as people rather than servants, kwim?
Oh, and John…remembering our names and using them in conversation is a big deal.
SCSI – too funny! I can’t believe she’d also send her little man over to confront you for … um … insulting her? Heh.
John, we’ve got to get at least a little bit of work done today
I’ll be back later ..
John – You have your own business, right?
It is part of my internal make-up to be as gentlemenly as possible. I open doors, doff my hat, and respect others even in the face of disrespect. To me, it is the conservative in me.
Lest you think I am singing my own praises just for giggles, it is something that I take seriously. At my youngish age, 35, and after military service, it seems natural, which is great because I do it without thinking.
A couple of things…
- When walking down the street and a guy always takes heed to walk on the outer side closest to moving traffic.
- Ditto on the stand up when when a woman comes in a room formality. LOVE that.
- Opening car doors is fabulous
- Offering to carry bags, packages.
- Being walked to the car at night.
- My ultimate favorite is when a guy grabs a woman’s hand/arm to help her down steps, a hill, the car, etc.
As a divorced mother of a boy, I’ve taught him things he should do as a gentleman since he was a little boy. He’s 15 now and one day we were going to the movies, and he held the door for 2 older couples who were about 50 ft behind us. They were so tickled, they insisted on paying his way into the movie.
He always gets compliments and surprised looks. People seem to be so shocked that a young man would actually behave gentlemanly. I think that’s a very sad commentary on society. That should be the norm.
A good movie that addresses this subject is Kate and Leopold with Meg Ryan and Hugh Jackman.
Love that movie, seal, and you are right on. Perfect example.
seal-lover – Thanks for teaching a new generation about the appropriate way to treat others!
Ambra – I’m also a fan of having my guy walk on the side closest to traffic. I do enjoy having my elbow/arm held in the situations you mention, but I wouldn’t want just any man to do it, kwim?
Well LawWife of COURSE not just any man, but the right man.
Then again, I have some close guy friends who are totally platonic that will do that out of habit and I must say, I don’t mind it at all.
A gentleman would ask before making physical contact (unless it was for unusual reasons, like throwing himself on top of the lady in question when a car came racing toward them), so we’re on the same page, Ambra.
Wow what a lunch?
I’m back.
LB – Yes I do have a business. Business is very good. I also dabble in Systems Engineering at a US Space Agency. I do that for fun (ok they pay for my services too) It’s the closest I’ll ever get to being a StarShip Captain
Ladies – GOOD info! Look at all these notes I have!
Hopefully I can remember all this. Oh the pressure!
“excuse me but may I make physical contact with you?” {SLAP} Hmmmmm. LawWife said that was the gentlemanly thing to do!
John – I thought you were married? Apparently not.
John – I’d stick out my tongue at you if I knew how. :p
I’m in the process of being un-married.
LB – Wouldn’t this be good info for a married man to follow? Especially with his wife? Married men probably needs to be reminded to get back on track. Yea – good info for married men too!
Sorry to hear that, John.
Thanks LB – I will survive and do right by my children!
I’m coming in a little late to this discussion, but I gotta say, what a great subject to post!!!
All of the chivalrous items already posted are great, and I’ve got a few to add:
*Giving your lady your coat on a cold evening.
*Remembering important dates: IE anniversary of the day you met, your first date, etc.
*Not using foul language in the presence of a lady
*Thanking servers, store clerks, anybody who does anything for you, even if it is their job.
*Ordering for your lady at a restaurant, but make sure you know what she wants first — don’t assume. If you discuss the menu with her before the waiter gets there, you can’t go wrong.
Hmm — there are a ton more, but that’s all I can think of at the moment.
Sister Toldjah: Yes, I love that movie too. Hugh Jackman can do no wrong in my eyes. Unless he jumps on the hollywood bash Bush bandwagon.
LawWife: Thanks, I’m trying my best.
Holly: good ones! I’m not sure if this has been mentioned in this thread, but I think it’s cute that most guys I know will not let a lady do any heavy lifting
Seal: AMEN on Hugh. It should be illegal for one man to be so fine!
Not sure where I learned these, but the etiquette includes pulling out a lady’s chair at a table/restaurant,not eating your food until the lady’s meal arrives, holding her (if in a relationship)hand while escorting her to a dance floor,and calling to see if she arrived home safely if there was separate transportation. One should also watch a lady (date, mother, sister)enter her home safely before driving away.
Welcome to the blog, Bijan. I do believe this is the first time you’ve commented. Stop by anytime!
How polite! Thank you.
Hi, first time commenting. Love your insights!
Things my husband has done since day one:
1. Open doors for me..any door.
2. When we walk on the sidewalk together, he is always on the curbside or whatever side is most dangerous.
3. He orders for me in restaurants, after consulting with me. (yes, even McDonald’s) LOL.
4. He sits facing the door in restaurants, because you never know these days. (though I don’t know if that’s more for him than for me LOL).
5. He holds all packages when we shop together, even if I protest.
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