Men and women can have the complete opposite attitude and be each other’s antagonists, such as in gender battles. In Gamble & Gamble’s essay, it is stated than men have a dominant nature that is encouraged in the media. In contrary, under many generations women have an inferior role in societies and households. These propositions have granted men’s character of touching; men do have a tendency of showing physical contact more often than women, as possessive traits. Although many oppose this detail as factual, it can be proven and seen in public as much as in personal circumstances.
Seen as chivalry, men traditional escort women in vehicles, open doors, and pull seats for them in formal dining. In all these scenarios, men usually place one of their hands on the women’s back waist, as to lead them (or push). Although the physical contact is more intended than definite, acquaintances are less likely to actually touch. Regardless, it is as if men have the birthright to supervise women. As fragile, peaceful and abiding creatures, women are to smile in return and show grace with a “thank you”.
Other ways men show dominance is in their voice; as lower volumes and bold tones are taken more seriously in the society, men usually deepen their pitch. It is also part of masculinity to hold back in smiles. In customer service, particularly the food service, it is noticeable how men refuse to engage in friendly conversations or even smile unless they are the one to initiate the state of affairs. On occasion, they would reply when asked questions but usually they even refuse to talk and rather show nonverbal cues. It is definitely hard to get a “thank you” or traditional courtesy nowadays as men have a tendency of just nodding or shaking their heads side to side in response to a question.
Working in food industry (a yogurt shop), it is seen through customers and fellow coworkers that people still recognize sexist roles. With ten crew members, there are only three males currently working in Palmdale’s local yogurt shop by 10th street West. From those three, only one works a mid-shift; the men have the least hours. Infuriated and fed up with female ‘bonding’, I tried to observe as to why my employer fails to hire more men. Is working in a yogurt shop too girly or is it because customers rather see a woman? The answer is complicated. Women are more responsive than men, and in dessert shops it is nice to see a smiling face or a feminine facade behind the counters when getting something sweet. The fact of the matter is that society still views females as more nurturing and loving than males; that is why women are more likely to have a place in customer service.
In terms of women’s caressing nature, it is that; they rather caress to show love and warmth rather than touch. Showing too much physical connection can be revered as impolite –both in men and women. Further on, men are more likely to be excused in “touching” because the society gives them the benefit of the doubt. If the touching seems a little too inappropriate, the woman is looked down upon as much as the man who started it. For that reason, females refuse to show more physical contact than a handshake in the professional world.
You made a great point about how it is a fact that men are more physical in terms of showing authority. When I did my blog on this issue, I focused more on the fact that women are more physical, more willing to show affection through hugs and kisses, while men are hesitant to any affection (not including their wives or family). Your perspective, based more on a professional setting is so interesting. I work at a coffee shop and our staff mostly consists of women, with the men having lead positions more than the women. It is true however, that a person would rather have a mocha or a frappuccino from someone with a caring smile than someone who conveys an authoritative facade. The essays in our textbook also discuss the different ways men and women communicate nonverbally based on the setting; that men are more dominant and as you stated, they will lead their woman and claim their property, while women are more comfortable in a private setting where they work on intimate relationships.
ReplyDeleteThe media plays a big role in influencing our perception of what a man should act like and what a woman should look like and it has affected our professional world and private world in terms of relationships and roles.
I agree with everything you said, speaking as a certified chauvinistic male (no pig need be added!); I tend to want to show my “dominance” over others. When it comes to the way I treat women (those close to me or otherwise), I like to think of my chauvinism as a form of traditional respect. Perhaps I am a bit old fashioned, but I do open doors, address women correctly, and I even let them cut in line at the grocery store; I know this sounds more chivalrous than chauvinist, but believe me when I say that it all goes hand in hand. It is true that women are more successful in careers that demand involvement with the public, and this is in fact due to women’s ability to convey cheer and sincerity. I know that I do not possess these qualities, so I in turn portray myself within the realms of what I know, which is to take on the personifications of a hunter rather than that of the gatherer. I know that my brand of chauvinism isn’t popular, but it’s not like I believe that a woman’s role is to be barefoot in my kitchen or something; I just believe that women (for the most part) are more delicate than men, and should be treated as such. I’m not always successful in conveying that philosophy, sometimes I just make matters worse, but my overall success rate is on the positive side; and it’s not surprising to me because the foundation for my practice is respect. I appreciated your thoughts on this, and p.s. I love that yogurt shop over there, the BerryStar is it? It’s always so clean and happy there, and the product is good; can’t wait til summer so I can get a few scoops of the peanut butter flavored, yumm!
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