Women, Hats & the National Anthem

Can we agree that women want to be treated equal? Can we agree that the days of chivalry are slipping away and men do not tip their hats in greeting or remove them in the presence of a lady? So 2 weeks ago at the Coca-Cola 600, the announcer stated like every other Sunday, "Please rise and remove your hats for the singing of the National Anthem." Hmmm, I didn't hear him clearly, did he say "Gentlemen remove you hats..."??? Well he must have, because over half of the women in the stands still have their hats on and worst of all, several MEN still have theirs on as well! Maybe they are deaf?
I don't know what was worse, the patriotic lady screaming to people through the Anthem "REMOVE YOUR HATS!!!" or the fact that they left them on. I debated this on a message board and to my dismay there were actually MANY women stating that this was okay because "proper etiquette" says so. If people in this country still practiced common courtesy, I could allow this reason to slide. However, we don't. Men do not remove their hats in the presence of a lady or when entering buildings. Hell, I'm lucky if a man holds open a door for me these days!!! What happened to common courtesy anyways? That's for another blog...

Not to mention, aren't women always complaining about equality? Hmmm, so you only want to be equal on YOUR terms, nope that doesn't cut it either.
I DO NOT want to hear about how your hair will be messy. I DO NOT want to hear about how women don't have to. I DO want to see EVERYONE respecting their country and the men and women who give their lives so that we can be free (and obviously disrepectful!!!) I don't think those female soldiers in Iraq are bitching about how their hair will be a mess because they took off their helmet for 2 minutes.

We need to stop taking advantage of our country and show how proud we are to be here, the best country on Earth. And if you don't think so, then I suggest taking a trip to another country besides Europe. :::OUT:::

Note to reader***Congress has amazingly addressed this very question in their pamphlet on flag etiquette entitled Our Flag. When in civilian attire, men must remove their hats and hold them at their left shoulder with their right hand over their heart. If they don't have a hat, men should place their right hand, palm open, over their heart. Women (with or without a hat) also need to place their right hand, palm open, over their heart. When in athletic clothing, one is required to face the flag or music, remove any hat or cap and stand at attention; a hand salute is not given.

People Watching

So today I go to my doctor's appointment, which is always a fun time to people watch. Little did I know I'd get an eye full. As I walk in, first thing I notice is the sofa that is right across from the receptionist's desk. There is a woman, pretty prego, sloched on the couch with her feet spread almost the entire way across the waiting area. As I go to take a seat, there is no way to avoid having to step over her feet.

She doesn't move, just sits there with a look of disgust. So I take a seat and grab a mag so I can avoid her icy stare. I swore she'd freeze me if I looked her way. I notice a cute little girl, maybe 4 yrs old, sitting quietly next to a greesy looking guy who looks as like he still listens to Def Leppard, really loud. He has dangly earrings (was that ever cool for men?!) and looks like he used Soul-Glo on his hair (no, he was white).As I leaf through a pathetic Country Living mag (it was the only one available, trust me, I grew up in the country, I have no desire to read about it) I hear, (in an outside voice) "Now you better behave your ass for your father while I'm in there or you're going to get it when we get outside!"

Yep, this made me jump in my seat and I almost had to tell the doctor that I left his urine specimen in the waiting area, sorry! I realize then that the greesy dad is the little girl's father and her mother is the woman all sprawled out like Queen Sheba. Why is he sitting on the other side of the room? And this little girl has been perfectly behaved, why such the harshness? Next a cell phone rings, or actually sings, and I swear it was hooked up to speakers. Annoying song + very loud + doctor's office... that's all I have to say. "Wazz-up girl, uh yeah I'm jus sittin' here at the doc's...yeah they pumped me full of steroids, guess I'll go any day now...yeah alright, I'll check ya lata." WHAT?! This woman all stretch out looks at least 40. I'm not judging, everyone has their own story that nobody knows. But some people just should not procreate...:::done:::