Hymas: We can’t lose the art of being a lady (or a gentleman)

I went to the Mall of America for a business hair show recently. While there I watched a group of young men rush to the door, plowing over the elderly, a mother with a stroller and me. I was so angry.

“I have a son your age and he would never,” I fumed inside. “How dare you!” I was so upset that I just stood at the door not knowing what to do. It took me a couple seconds then I thought I should just watch for a moment and see if it was rude kids or if this was the culture of the youth in this area. As I watched I realized it was common. Mothers with their children didn’t expect respect from their kids. Plowing through, pushing, budging, interrupting, were all common practices. I promised myself right then and there that if I ever got the opportunity to teach someone the art of being a lady or a gentleman, I wouldn’t keep my mouth shut. I wouldn’t just think it … I would express it.

So here I go.

We are losing it. The art of acting like ladies and gentlemen is getting lost. I am shocked at the amount of people who have stopped expecting respect, in fear they might offend someone.

Our gender is a gift. I am a lady. I am born to have softer skin, less facial hair, smaller muscles, and the option to give birth. I am grateful for this role. I will never have the strength of a testosterone-raged male. He will never have the opportunity to give birth. It is our role and a part of our identity.

Acting like a lady doesn’t mean you stop being capable: it is the opposite. Being a lady means having an opinion and the power and voice to speak it. Being a lady is sitting up tall with your knees together. Being a lady is saying please, thank you, and your welcome. If you are asked on a date, he should call and come to the door to pick you up. Not text and honk!!!!! (you need to respect yourself. This is unacceptable).

Being a lady means I respect myself enough to expect respect! I will respect myself enough to respect you. Being a lady doesn’t mean we give up power, being a lady is showing the world we love our power and use it respectfully and tastefully.

We do not need to give the art of respect up. In fact, we need to work harder than ever to respect our gender and to expect the behavior in return; and to seize on the opportunities because of it. Let’s try harder to be LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.