Bloody women.

[Joe_the_Lion]

At my Lodge (non-masonic, don't do all that funny handshake business) we may have to bow to the latest politically correct brigade and allow the fairer sex in.

At the moment we do not even employ female staff. Which is fair enough as there are many an expensive car in the rather tight carpark, and their presence will only put our insurance premiums up even further due to their parking ability (moreover, lack of it).

Although I am an avid anti-smoker, the Lodge (even though it is private) has to cease its current smoking policy under new legislation. Again fair enough, though this has proved very unpopular with the cigar brigade.

My question, directed at bloody women...........

Do you give a damn if gentlemen have their own little clubs? Do you really want to sit in a room with stuffy old and middle aged codgers talking about cricket and the advantages of ABS?

I strongly suspect the answer is no. So why, preytell, is there a national debate re. this?

Why can't you just keep your bloody nose out of our business. Stick to shopping for shoes and talking about periods and leave us to our golf, cricket, and gentleman clubs.

[Joe_the_Lion]

I see your point Iggy, and although this is closely related to the recent debate, my Lodge actually breaks the law under the Sex Dicrimination Act, insofar as it does not employ females at all.

Yes, there are a few Judges as members, and no doubt this old boys network assists in gaining the Private Memebers license etc, but the fact remains we may have to admit the weaker sex.

I believe, but do not quote me as I am not on the committee, that it is not registered as a "Male only Club". We just choose to omit female membership, if that makes sense. Thus the current legislation will apply if it goes through.

Sickened, I tell ye. sickened that a group of short haired, dungaree wearing diesel dykes, probably from Wales, wish to adulterate a long standing tradition in many a town accross the British Isles.

I am not sexist in the slightest, and actively encourage women to develope their home building skills to the fullest, but this is just not on.

Emily Pankhurst and that awful Germain Greer willy hater, have a lot to answer for!!!

[Pippa68]

'I am not sexist in the slightest, and actively encourage women to develope their home building skills to the fullest, but this is just not on'

Lovely contradiction, Wardy :o)

Actually I have no idea why a woman would want to join your lodge..however I think I might know why a man would want to frequent a women-only gym...

[Baby Jane]

Joe_the_Lion

Is this a wind up?

[oopsydoopsy]

I'm lost - I thought beavers frequented lodges.

[flip_flop]

Damn - you ladies know about the whole crossing the road thing mentioned in Champagne's post.

Damn.

[joko]

i think many people misunderstand what equality actually means... it doesn't mean men can no longer be courteous and helpful... but it does mean that they should be that way with anyone

i don't like it when men patronise me, and assume i am incapable.

example is, i bought a wooden box from a charity shop and one edge was a bit loose and just needed a tiny nail knocking in to hold it ... the man in the shop went on and on about it, explaning what needed doing etc etc
and asked me if i had someone at home who could do the job for me!
he also said he'd do it an i could call back!

fair enough many women would hand the box to their husband or dad or whatever to fix, but when i said don't worry i would sort it out, he couldn't accept it, i even think at one point he was trying to recall if he had some nails and a hammer out the back to do it for me

i know he was just trying to help (he was old)but i had looked at the box and was happy to buy it despite the damage

i think men need to learn not to assume all women are like they were 50 years ago, and take the trouble to find out what she is capable of instead of assuming and appearing smug, because whoop-de-do they can change a fuse.
of course many women are helpless in a lot of ways around the house, but these days there are many more who are pretty accomplished and competent at diy type stuff.

i think the carrying of bags thing is just polite, but only if the person is struggling - not just because the man feel obliged and has some old fashioned view of a woman as a delicate flower.

i would offer to help a man if he was struggling, as i would help anyone.

i hold a door for anyone if they are right behind me or have a pram or are carrying large things, or some such reason why they need me to otherwise it is not necessary.