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| Angelika/Mike Schilli |
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Good Manners
Michael Some things in America haven't changed since the days of the Wild West: the gentleman still holds the door open for the lady. This is not only the case at highly formal events but is also common practice in everyday life. It is also quite common for the first person in a group to, for example, pull open a restaurant door and hold it open while the rest of the group walks in.
When a gentleman and a lady enter a restaurant, the gentleman holds the door open for the lady and lets her enter the establishment first(!). This rule served, during the times of the Wild West, to allow the gentleman to quickly count behind her back whether he had enough money to take the lady out while she was walking through the door. Because even in the very modern San Francisco, it is considered completely unacceptable if the gentleman does not cover the entire bill for a romantic table for two.
Or when, coming from the restaurant, two people get back into the car: The gentleman first unlocks the passenger door for the lady from the outside (!), holds it open, lets the lady get in, and then closes the door before finally walking around the car to the driver's side to get in himself. According to friends who are still active in the dating scene, the lady's behavior in this situation can predict the further course of the evening. If she unlocks the driver's door for the gentleman from the passenger seat, "something more" might happen that evening. However, if she waits for the gentleman to unlock his door from the outside with the key, then nothing more than expenses will come of it.
If you want to seriously start a relationship with someone, you go out to dinner with them at most three times. "Lunch" is more of a friendly affair and doesn't imply any romantic intentions, at most vague exploratory attempts. "Dinner and a Movie" is a common dating combination, and as a lady, you should be aware of the signals. Like in baseball, these three evenings are referred to as "First Base," "Second Base," and "Third Base." At the latest on second base, a little cuddling is required. If nothing happens after the third time, the process will be abruptly terminated. Actually, it is already considered an imposition if a lady allows herself to be invited three times and then acts aloof. How complicated it all is! It's a wonder that these people even manage to reproduce.
