I would have no problem being receptive..I just think I would be shocked.
Its certainly not the culture of men here to offer to do things for me. My friends seem to have married a few men that are very much like that but they were snagged ages ago. The ones left over...are not the ones offering to help out or be a guy who pays for anything or opens car doors. I've met probably 3 or 4 and I accepted gracefully their gentlemanly behavior.
Now door opening sure since I've lost the wt..that happens. but all the other stuff nope.

I would have no problem being receptive..I just think I would be shocked.
Its certainly not the culture of men here to offer to do things for me. My friends seem to have married a few men that are very much like that but they were snagged ages ago. The ones left over...are not the ones offering to help out or be a guy who pays for anything or opens car doors. I've met probably 3 or 4 and I accepted gracefully their gentlemanly behavior.
Now door opening sure since I've lost the wt..that happens. but all the other stuff nope.

This is because Canadian men have no manners, romance, charm or gentlemanly behaviours. They are too busy watching hockey and drinking beer. Sigh.

LOL!! so true... Can't help but throw in that the Flames beat the Canucks last night :P (one in a million I know, but I will take it)

I graciously accept, with a smile and a 'thank you', any guy that offers to be a gent

Makes me feel good. Makes him feel good. Win-win!! :bigsmile:

Perfectly worded and true.

I think you're over-analyzing this. I'm not sure reading books is the way to go to truly understand the culture of the south, at least as it pertains to men. But if you insist, I recommend Absalom Absalom or Light in August, by Faulkner. Beats pop psychology hands down.

Also, I'm not sure what it means to be a southerner any longer. I was born and raised in the south (Virginia, later North Carolina). Both of those very southern states are now overrun with northerners. Usually having relocated as companies look for cheaper labor, lower tax burdens, less unionization, etc. In my (granted upscale) neighborhood in NC, I was the only southerner on the block. I had to go to the local diner to hear a southern accent. And it was one of the few places in my town that served biscuits and gravy, grits, etc. Don't ask for a cappuccino, they'll look at you funny. :-)

I suppose there are still parts of Mississippi and Alabama that are still traditionally southern, but as a true Virginian I always thought those states the worst of the south: more racism, less culture. Then again, Faulkner is from Mississippi, so perhaps I'm a hypocrite...

And by the way, European men are also quite gentlemanly, as least when it comes to opening doors for the ladies. I can't imagine a European woman being offended when a man opens a door for her. But then again, I can't imagine an American woman being offended, either. At least not one that I would care to be around. It's just a door, after all. Not the Spanish Inquisition.

--P

I don't know. I've dated a lot of northern women and not very many of them (if any) refused to let me pay or open doors for them. If that is a trend I don't see it happening anywhere around here.

With that said I would probably see any behavior like that as one of four things:
1. She doesn't like me very much.
2. She's a b**ch
3. She's a feminist
4. She's trying way too hard to display her independence.

Either way, none of those are really attractive and I'd probably stay away. Unless she was really hot.

YUP ^^^^