Kindness

[bainbrig]

Simple thought, I know, but doesn't kindness make the world bearable? Be kind, find kindness, relish it.

[Canary42]

///women quite rightly view kindness in men with great suspicion - and why wouldn’t they///

What was it you opened with - "Be kind, find kindness, relish it". Is that the way you relish, with suspicion. What a sad and bitter person you sound.

[-Talbot-]

It would be interesting to hear more opinions on this apparent suspicion by women that kindly men are likely to be rapists or paedophiles.

[ummmm]

Some of the kindest people I know are men.

[Prudie]

It's never crossed my mind that a man being kind is a rapist or paedophile, maybe I'm just gullible.

[jno]

it's not that "kindly men are likely to be rapists or paedophiles". It's that they may be, and that apparently kindliness to women or children can be a useful opening gambit. (Inset your own list of suspect priests and scoutmasters here.)

It's a shame, but it's where we are at the moment.

[Canary42]

Not gullible at all Prudie, a nice person to know.

[Mamyalynne]

I'd like to be clear that my earlier reference about men weighing up a situation first was not as stark as the references made by some others.

I will quite happily approach a crying baby in a pram or a toddler having a tantrum on a bus say, when men I have spoken to feel their intervention might not be as appreciated.

Their fears may be unfounded on the whole but it can hold some men back a little in a quick response.

Most men are kind and caring in my experience.

[margarettom]

I'm glad I grew up in an age where women could accept kindness from men without suspicion. When offering your seat to a woman or opening door for her was considered good manners and was appreciated . Men have not changed fundamentally since I was young, so how come young women today treat basic good manners as suspicious behaviour? How sad.

[Mamyalynne]

I only ever hear about these young women who spurn opened doors and the like, I've never met one - nor thankfully did I bring mine up to behave like that.

[bainbrig]

. What a sad and bitter person you sound.

Unkind, canary, unkind. It was an observation based on a long life’s experience.

[jourdain2]

I am always appreciative of kindnesses and politeness (such as doors being held open for me) and I do the same for others. It costs me nothing and smiles and chit-chat are the usual result. I am fortunate to live in an area where people relate to each other. Kindness to other is natural, surely? After I had a fall the other week and could not stand, a little lad came hastening to help (I helped him last year with his reading) and collected my bag and offered his shoulder for support - he was half my height. :) What goes around comes around and life is nicer if people are kind and considerate to others. Why be otherwise?

[Canary42]

/// Unkind, canary, unkind.///

Possibly - I'm sorry, as it's upset you.