When I was a boy my mother baked a quiche for breakfast. When she asked how big a piece I wanted I said I didn't want any. She asked why not. Being obsessed with machismo, I replied, "like the book says, real men don't eat quiche" which was the title of a current book being advertised.
My mother says, "a real man does what he wants and doesn't worry about what other people think".....
So I say stuff like ma'am and lady, if it hurts feelings or triggers a lady, well, she'll just have to deal with that later in her safe space. I open doors, I hold doors, I walk on the street edge of the sidewalk, I pull out chairs, I compliment their appearance, I provide for, protect, and lead my household...I do what I want and I don't worry about what other people think. 😉
Sure wish I had been a "real" man back then, that quiche smelled so good.
