Stand or sit

I'm finding myself having to face the old conundrum of "stand up or sit down". I am of course speaking of travelling on Melbourne public transport and the dilemma arises when I have a seat but then notice a woman - now don't think I am sexist, I also keep an eye out for the elderly too (now I'm sexist AND ageist) - and I have to stop and think

"stand up" and offer my seat or
"sit down" and ignore it.

It wouldn't be a problem, except I was brought up that common courtesy was to allow a woman to sit. Now my intention is not to suggest that a woman is incapable of standing up for 20 minutes in a train, but I actually didn't mind when people had manners and did things like this. I don't think any less of women who'd rather sit than stand. But there have been instances where I've been shot down for doing this and have ended up feeling a fool on several occasions for what is, for all intents and purposes, a kindly gesture. Yes, I suppose its roots are derived from that, but when I do it it's not because I think they're weak.

Next time, I'll just manhandle and force them into the chair so that I'd plainly be assaulting them rather than being a chauvanist.

Speaking of chauvanists, I noticed Tony Abbot made another gaffe saying that most ironing is done by women. He based this on the fact that in his household, his wife did the ironing. I don't know about him, but I tend to iron my own damn shirts. He would do a lot better if he either censored what he said before he spoke, or just spoke less. Of course, I wish Kevin Rudd would speak less. I have simply tuned out to the meaningless crap that comes from his mouth and this was highlighted as he was being grilled by Australia's youth. Broken election promises and a lack of authenticity will be his legacy. But then again, I was never a fan.

I was happier to read old news about two girls dancing in bikinis on top of a crocodile cage. Not that it is a terribly smart thing to do, but at least it's not Australian politics.

Enjoy!