Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Going Down, Going Viral.

What is going down is elevator etiquette:

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/kelly-connor/elevator-etiquette_b_898707.html?ir=Style&icid=main%7Chtmlws-sb-n%7Cdl4%7Csec3_lnk3%7C219300

Lots of interesting stuff in the article. She asks some interesting questions at the end of the article:

"So the question emerges; have we (women) traded chivalry for freedom? How are young boys being raised today? Are they being equipped with these retro ideals or is chivalry a fading behavior?"

Also going down is the prices house. In this case all the way down to sixteen dollars:

http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/07/18/man-snags-300-000-house-for-16/

I was surprised that the first comment supported the man, she would rather have anyone in the house than have it sit vacant.

What is going viral is the following video:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/07/19/138502333/must-see-video-chihuahua-chases-armed-robbers-out-of-california-shop?sc=fb&cc=fp

Comment away:

QUOTE

Mae Jemison authored yesterday's quote. Jemison was one amazing woman. Today's quote is from another amazing woman who made Patty Duke famous. "A happy life consists not in the absence, but in the mastery of hardships." She was born in 1880 and died in 1968. She was the first deafblind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. Here life was influenced by THE MIRACLE WORKER. Bill once received an award named after her. Who said today's quote?

4 comments:

Pat said...

I don't worry a lot about chivalry. I do think it's nice when it's shown, as long as it isn't awkward, as in a man trying to stand back in a crowded elevator and crushing other people in order to allow a woman to get off first. If we've traded chivalry for freedom, I'd say it's a fair trade.

The guy that has taken possession of a $300K home for $16 is certainly enterprising. I can sort of see both sides in this one, but now that the word is out, they'd better amend that law quickly or this will be happening all over Texas.

Too funny about the chihuahua and the robbers. I know DR will appreciate this story, since she's now protected by 6 lb. wonder dog Scamper.

Lady DR said...

Elevator etiquette worries me less than general etiquette and common courtesy. It makes sense for whomever's in the front to get out first. Like Pat, I appreciate a man opening doors, but will open the door for a man with his hands full. Are young boys being raised with any idea of chivalry? I think some are, by their father's/uncle's/mentor's example. This is particularly true of southern men and boys I've found, although it seems those under the age of twenty seem to more lacking than their older counterparts.

I'm split on the $16 house. The guy shows an enterprising nature, having researched an obscure law to take possession (9/10 of the law in this case, it appears). I can appreciate the homeowners resentment, as they're all paying mortgages. Call me politically incorrect, but I did notice there was a difference in ancestry between the "squatter" and those interviewed about their feelings.

Loved the chihuahua video, of course. Have no idea how protective Scamper may be, although the chihuahuas are known to be protective of owner and family.

On that same note, years ago, an ex-con spoke with a community group, as part of his probation. He said most people get big dogs - shepherds, labs, rotwiellers and the like - for protection and advised you were better served to have a small dog with a protective streak. Big dogs move slowly and a burglar can easily hit them with a club or gun barrel and knock them out or kick them and put them out of commission. Burglars hate small dogs - they move too quickly, can bite ankles and calves and be gone before they can be kicked and they usually raise Cain that brings neighbors, if the homeowner isn't around. His contention was a burglar hearing the bark of a small dog, upon trying to enter a house, would give it up as a bad idea 50% of the time or more and move on to easier pickings, where he was less likely to get caught.

One of the warnings in training chihuahuas and most terriers is to be sure they understand it's okay to bark at knocks or strangers in the yard, okay to protect you and property, but that they're to "stand down" as soon as you say "friend." IF we're to have a watch dog, it's going to have be Scamper. Spook barks a lot, but will lick to death anyone who holds out a hand or offers pets.

William J. said...

Hi Pat

I pay attention to chivalry when I am out with Mom when she is in her push wheelchair. Sometimes I just shake my head on how rude young people are. However, I cannot tell you how many times men have gotten up from a chair at a restaurant, interrupted their own meal, came all tney way out and opened the door for us so we could push the wheelchair without having to old the door. It surely is appreciated by me. I just hope the younger ones are watching and will do that for someone else.

I laughed at the chihuahua chasing the robbers. Spirited little dude.

Not only all over Texas I am checking Oregon law to see if I can get a house for $16. I might even go as high as twenty dollars..

Bill

William J. said...

Hi DR

I love the story the con told about little dogs being harder for for them than big dogs. But it really does make a lot of sense. I do think it would hard for some of the smaller dogs to learn when and what to bark at but they are usually pretty smart. The comment about Scamp liking them made me laugh. Great story. Thanks for sharing it!

I am with about generalr etiquette and common courtesy. I don't even pay attention to gender when opening a door for someone, I just do it automatically. I also think some boys today are taught manners but not as many as before.

I am kind of split on the hours but I lean towards the guy because I hate banks and they way the took advantage of people. I love to do what the guy did and then when the house was mine give it back to the owner that got screwed.

Bill