Etiquette: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

Dear Reader,

To-day's lesson once more is more for your man than it is for you. I did not want to have to address this subject, but over the past week, I noticed this ungracious behavior more than once, so I thought it best to discuss it in this forum and make matters straight!

When a lady and gentleman are walking together on the street, it should be just that...together. On more than one occasion, I have seen a pair walking and the man is at least five or six paces ahead of the lady, as if they were not even meant to be walking with one another. Dear reader, this is a most uncivilized behavior...we are no longer living in the barbaric age! No man is to leave his love behind him to wallow in his dust! Absurd! A man is to ensure the proper protection of his mate, and therefore should walk evenly with her as to keep her safe from harm's way. Additionally, whilst on the street, the man should always walk on the outside. The only exception is whilst walking past a dark alley, then the man should remain on the inside. I have seen recently a few Presidents who are lacking in this area when they are walking with their wives. Notice this action the very next time you witness a news story on the television--doesn't that look awful. Poor Mrs. President...her husband rushes off to meet the crowds with not a care for her well being. This is selfish as he is putting his needs and self importance over that of his wife. He is a husband first, a President second. A sad state of affairs...now that is the state of our union.

Now, the matter of informing the men in our lives on the subject. It is not our place, dear reader, to tell our men, especially our husbands, what to do. However, and this is not deception, it is our responsibility to encourage them in the ways of decorum, albeit subtly. Tell your husband that you are pleased when he walks with you and helps you with your balance. Let him know that you feel protected by him when he is in your midst. Oh friend, if this will not puff up the feathers and make him change his ways!

Until next time...

HF