Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-01-20
The lmpolitcness Of N.omen.

If there is anything characteristic OF
Americans of which they are more
proud than any other, it is the courtesy
which the men who are natives OF TINS
country exhibit toward women, ana the
respect which the gentle sex receives
in public This is trait Of the Amerl-
can character of which the Americans
are Justly proud, and in which they
doubtless excel the people OF any other
country But while this is true OF men,
it is matter to be deeply regretted
that as much cannot be said Of the wo-
men Of this country.
American women are Justly renowned
for their beauty, their vivacity, and the
many charms of manner and converse
ton which make them attractive to men
of all nations Too much cannot be
said Of their high moral character, for
it can be more truly said of the women
of America than of any other nation
that the "hearts of their husbands dc
safely trust in them" 1t is true, also,
that in their department to men OF their
acquaintance American women arc, as
rule, most courteous and polite. But
after all this is said to their favor an
observing person cannot fail to admit
that it is true that American women
seem very generally to be prompted IN
their conduct by spirit Of seltishness
which very often finds expression III acts
of positive rudeness.
This deplorablc defect may not be
more pronounced in American women
than it is in women of other nationali.
ties, but we believe it is. We believe
also that it is very largely due to the
fact that in this country women are so
generally treated with marked courtesy
by the men. American women have
learned to look upon this courteous
treatment as a matter of course. They
look for it as a thing which is due, and
have thus lost sight Of their reciprocal
obligations with reference to it. If amy
man fails to show them this respect,
which all American gentlemen freely
admit is their due, they resent it as a
wrong. 1t is a compliment to the men
of America that the women of this
country do consider that they are
wronged when there is any neglect tc
show them courtesy, but it is . disgrace
to American women that for this cour
tesy there is so frequently nothing
given in return.
The truth of this is seen every day
upon the streets of Denver, as we'll as
of other American cities. 1t is seen in
street-cars, upon railway trains. and III
places OF public resort. In ugly
weather, when the streets are muddy.
5 it is no uncommon thing to see two
) women, walking side by side upon a
crossing, force some man whom they
meet to make way for them by step
ping out into the mud Neither of the
women in this case seems to feel her
self to be under any obligations what
| ever to step behind her companion so
as to let the man have one of the walks
Possibly the women have not seen that
the man has stepped off the crossing
!, into the mud, or if they have they do
| not care. They think that it was moth
, ing more than he was bound to do, and
| SO they pass on in selfish disregard of
$ his discomfort, and needless of the fact
t that they have been very rude.
} This is hut an illustration of the
t truth in what we have said of the DO
[ likeness of American women. 1t is also
| frequently illustrated in such place as
the postol1ice. Men often stand
patiently at the letter or stamp Win
e dow waiting until women are served
who have come into the Office long after
them. 1t is also exceedingly rare that
women ever think of waiting under
: such circumstances, if the men are
4 strangers to them. The impoliteness
shown by women to men in street-cars
3 is almost proverbial. This is a great
: discredit to our American women. and
their rudeness to strangers of their owl,
/ sex is probably more marked than Their
II lack OF politeness to men. Better thai
I it should he so than that there slould
, develop in American men a failing tc
show the utmost respect to women.
! Any American gentleman would unite
+ with us i'll saying that the utmost
: courtesy should be shown to women on
e all occasions whether they show 9
I proper appreciation OF it or not But
nevertheless, American women have il
G this matter q lesson to learn. -Dchre1
e Tribune.
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l. HE CHiHG ED $y7.