I am a busy professional woman. My husband is a busy professional man. We both have black belts in Karate. We are athletic, and successful in our fields. Neither one of us a "shrinking violet". However, we still have a lot of old fashioned notions of manners and behavior and would not have it any other way. I would not "deliberately" belch or pass gas in front of him (and laugh...as I have seen so many younger people do). I do expect him to open my door, and stand when I return to the table, and pull out my chair...and he is happy to do it. I drive, most of the time, when we are around town. He is usually reading his volumes of email and I enjoy driving, so it's all good, but still, he will come around and open my door for me.

He is a gentlemen and I am a lady and we like it that way.



Interestingly, our daughter, in her early late 20's now, is the same way and she married a young gentlemen that is just like my husband in that same way.

Manners and respect are just that, and they are eternal. However, they don't have to be the same for everyone. For instance, the "food" thing? We serve each other. No biggie. He may get up and make something or I may. Likewise, we have friends who would never think to have anyone but "the man" sit at the head of his table. My husband could care less.

Oh well, bottom line, glad you are in a loving, respectful relationship. I am so happy that I am too.