nip tuck
Most of the time, I'm not really bothered by the fact that guys and girls get treated differently.Like at hibachi houses, the chef usually gives the excess food to the men, even though the ladies' portions cost the same amount. Fine by me.
Or after the food's eaten and the waiter/waitress directly hands the guy the check. Also fine. Most of the time, it IS the guy that pays. Don't deny it, ladies.
But today, it really got me. Karl and I decided to eat at Applebees tonight, which was good, because I'd really been craving a juicy fat barbeque hamburger. After we asked for the check, Karl went off to the bathroom and left me munching on my fries alone.
1. Waiter comes over, places the check in front of Karl's empty space, and sees me reach over his arm to grab it.
2. Waiter comes back. I reach into wallet hand him the money. Waiter leaves.
3. Waiter returns with money. Gives change directly to Karl.
Come ONNNNNNNNN. Is it so hard to remember that the girl paid for the food? Is it really that surprising and out of the ordinary? There should be a middle-of-the-table rule from now on. I mean, sure, I love it when my boyfriend offers to wine and dine me. But when I want to treat him, don't I deserve a little bit more recognition and respect from these people?
Still, I'll give the guy the benefit of a doubt. Maybe he had a long day and can't remember who paid. Maybe he thought it was the gentlemanly thing to do. Still, it makes me wonder where the line between romance and equality is really drawn nowadays. Are we abdicating our position as equals in society by allowing ourselves to be treated to a nice meal once in a while? And honestly, exactly why is it considered romantic for a guy to pay in situations when we're perfectly capable of paying ourselves? Perhaps women nowadays still haven't evolved beyond needing that little boost from a white knight or kindly benefactor.
Strangely enough, one of the things that makes me miss Princeton the most are the guys that open doors for you as if it was one of the most natural things in the world. What gentlemanly behavior. What chivalry. But then I ask myself: I'm not handicapped, why do I need them to open the doors anyway?
It's hard to be a woman in 2006. If we submit ourselves to traditional romance, our feminist side starts bra-burning bonfires and screams how we're digging our own graves. If we stubbornly fight for equality, our romantic side yearns even more for Prince Charming, and we wind up watching chick flicks for no reason.
It's even harder to be a man in 2006. You never know what kind of chick that new girl you're dating is. If you open a door for her, she could a.) smile from ear to ear, or b.) give you an ear-aching lecture on women's rights. If you pay for her meal, she could a.) give a sheepish half-smile, b.) offer to pay half, c.) attempt to rip you in half.
posted by Tiffany @ 8:45 PM
2 Comments:
hear hear
as much as some women deny it, most still want someone to come sweep them off their feet
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