Great advice. I’ve been trying to tip my hat and say “Mam.” It takes a bit of practice. Would love to walk around with my holster and six-shooter but don’t see that happening ;) Love your stories!
I know a working cowboy here in Cameron. Kenneth Paul Kirk is his name. He was in my wife’s class in school and one of her childhood playmates. He has lived his adult life on horseback, working cattle. He is unfailingly polite around women. He is also somewhat of a rounder, with a lot of female companions over the years who have helped him through hard times. (paid his bills.😉) I believe his deportment around them has been his ace-in-the-hole.
My dad bought 72 acres about 7 miles from town when I was six. We always had cattle out there, Herefords mostly. Like most kids of my time, I asked for a horse from time to time. We never had one. My dad would invariably say, “Why do we need a horse? All they do is get sick and eat!” I would try, “Yeah, but it would help when we need to round up a wild cow!” His reply was always, “Well, if I need help like that, I’ll just call one of the Kirks.” See above ^^^ 😁
In light of all this, it's strange and ironic that in so many Western movies, and certain strains of fiction, the heroine spends almost the whole time in perpetual peril of Worse Than Death. I'm afraid Zane Grey may have started it.
This is a good point, Elisabeth. Like so many things Western, the myth is greater than the reality. As Larry McMurtry said, “I’ve tried as hard as I could to demythologize the West. Can’t do it. It’s impossible.” And Zane Grey, if he didn’t start it, certainly perpetuated it.
Thank you! I enjoyed reading. I'm not a cowboy but I was taught to hold the door open and let women go first, and say yes ma'am and no ma'am. I've taught my son & grandsons to do the same. That was long before the women's lib movement. I know from personal experience my wife still appreciates that gentleman like behavior. I like the Jerry Clower words "mama don't want to be liberated".
Along the same lines, I have a book my nephew gave me titled Cowboy Ethics by James P. Owen. Its a good read and good advice to live by in my opinion.
When I was growing up, some of this still existed. I still can't get used to men rushing the door ahead of me and slamming it in my face. They used to hold the door open for every female. Some still tipped their hat or did the little air salute thing by the temple. I still have not changed a tire. I went flat a couple of times. Men who seemed like family men stopped both times. Asked if I had the right tools, did the job, said nothing more and rode off. We could use some more cowboys today.
Women should still be treated this way today!
I agree. They are in my presence and I demand it of my boys.
Great article. I was brought up this way and I still treat women this way.
You and me both, brother.
Great advice. I’ve been trying to tip my hat and say “Mam.” It takes a bit of practice. Would love to walk around with my holster and six-shooter but don’t see that happening ;) Love your stories!
You’re free to roam six-shooter on hip and dip in lip—and a hat to tip. Much obliged.
I know a working cowboy here in Cameron. Kenneth Paul Kirk is his name. He was in my wife’s class in school and one of her childhood playmates. He has lived his adult life on horseback, working cattle. He is unfailingly polite around women. He is also somewhat of a rounder, with a lot of female companions over the years who have helped him through hard times. (paid his bills.😉) I believe his deportment around them has been his ace-in-the-hole.
My dad bought 72 acres about 7 miles from town when I was six. We always had cattle out there, Herefords mostly. Like most kids of my time, I asked for a horse from time to time. We never had one. My dad would invariably say, “Why do we need a horse? All they do is get sick and eat!” I would try, “Yeah, but it would help when we need to round up a wild cow!” His reply was always, “Well, if I need help like that, I’ll just call one of the Kirks.” See above ^^^ 😁
In light of all this, it's strange and ironic that in so many Western movies, and certain strains of fiction, the heroine spends almost the whole time in perpetual peril of Worse Than Death. I'm afraid Zane Grey may have started it.
This is a good point, Elisabeth. Like so many things Western, the myth is greater than the reality. As Larry McMurtry said, “I’ve tried as hard as I could to demythologize the West. Can’t do it. It’s impossible.” And Zane Grey, if he didn’t start it, certainly perpetuated it.
Thank you! I enjoyed reading. I'm not a cowboy but I was taught to hold the door open and let women go first, and say yes ma'am and no ma'am. I've taught my son & grandsons to do the same. That was long before the women's lib movement. I know from personal experience my wife still appreciates that gentleman like behavior. I like the Jerry Clower words "mama don't want to be liberated".
Along the same lines, I have a book my nephew gave me titled Cowboy Ethics by James P. Owen. Its a good read and good advice to live by in my opinion.
You might not be a cowboy professionally but you’re one spiritually.
When I was growing up, some of this still existed. I still can't get used to men rushing the door ahead of me and slamming it in my face. They used to hold the door open for every female. Some still tipped their hat or did the little air salute thing by the temple. I still have not changed a tire. I went flat a couple of times. Men who seemed like family men stopped both times. Asked if I had the right tools, did the job, said nothing more and rode off. We could use some more cowboys today.
I’m all for making America more cowboy.
Thank you, Rich.