ON CHIVALRY

My friend Souxie just forwarded me an email she received from a male friend (why isn't critical to this posting). As I read the email, I was stunned by the shortest sentence within it. At one point of the correspondence, the gent wrote, "Thanks man!" 

My friend Souxie is all woman, folks. This trend of men calling women "man" "dude" and (I swear I've heard) "guy" baffles me. I realize that gone are the days in which men would tip their hat to fair ladies as they pass them in the town square, but this? Really?

I blame Randy Jackson, for starters. A grown man, referring to young teenage girls with comments usually beginning with "So look, dude ..." is inexcusable. Would the American Idol judge talk to Aretha Franklin that way (or any of the other ladies he has worked with)? If so, he's beyond help. If not, he - and all the dudes like him - need to clean up their acts.

I believe that chivalry isn't dead, but I do think it's lounging around in a lazy haze in about half the men out there.

Men, if you wouldn't refer to your girlfriend as "man" (which I'm guessing you wouldn't, as it could shake up an otherwise pleasant make-out session), you shouldn't do it to other ladies either. Even if you're a proud slacker. Even if your primary mode of transportation is a skateboard. Even if you have one of those overgrown Justin Beiber hairstyles that block half your face and blow gently in the breeze (which I'm kinda jealous of) ... you should still be able to distinguish a man from a woman.

And Ladies, if a man can't see that you're a "lady" ... he sure ain't going to treat you like one. If someone calls you "dude" or anything you are not, gently correct them. They won't do it again. And if there are any ladies out there that don't mind being called "dude" or "man" or "guy" - please let me know why it doesn't bother you.

Ladies & Gentlemen, I thank you for your time.