> According to someone in one of my history
> classes, the act of a man opening a door for a
> man originated from the Vikings, who
> apparently would hold the door open for the
> women to go out of first in case an enemy was
> waiting outside to bash them on the head.

I'm skeptical. Interesting and unexpected "origins" for current sayings and customs are usually false, and this one sounds more like a story trying to both stop the custom, which is seen as offensive by some, and make it seem like men really suck than something grounded in reality.


> -flying"I always thought of it as
> politeness"cats

It is. Even if it DID start in the way your classmate claims, no one today holds the door open for anyone except for reasons of courtesy, respect, and a polite adherence to tradition.

-Eric "My Viking enemies wish to kill me, so would you like to be the first one in, Marianne?" Sleator
Mon 8 Oct A.D. 2001