I used to like this, but now its just annoying...

[Sam]

at my studio, whenever the instructor says to roll out the bags from being lined up at the wall, or to put them back, one particular instructor throws a fit if a female goes to do it - and because of that the other instructors also tell the women not to do it, let the men do it.

I thought it was nice at first, like oh, thats convienent, but for some reason its just starting to annoy the hell out of me.

Am I just being stupid?

[bignick]

Love the signature!!!

Sometimes men can step over the line with chivalry....I believe it was mentioned in another thread....

We're damned if we do, damned if we don't...

[Ceicei]

Courtesy has its place, but to go overboard with courtesy to the point that certain groups (in your situation, the females) cannot help out with the equipment is a disservice. It would annoy me a lot too!

- Ceicei

[TigerWoman]

No special treatment in our school, but some of the men leap in there and are chivarous for the newbies rolling their bags. Some guys have even leapt up to do my bag but when they run into trouble, I quickly rescue them. haha I am used to it by now. I've had to roll out ten bags for my cardio kickboxing class in five minutes so we'd start on time. Had no time to mess around. ;) Now I tell everyone this is part of their workout, women included. TW

[MA-Caver]

To have courtesy is never rude. But to throw a fit (and presumably you mean like this one?? :tantrum: ) about it is rude. It's childish as well.
Obviously the guy can't see that by having ANYONE roll out the bags and do some heavy lifting helps out in their building of muscles. Even in a small way. Learning to weild unweildy heavy objects and stuff is a good training thing. Not exactly MA to be sure but it will help out.

Now-a-days when I take folks on a caving trip I make THEM carry the ropes or whatever gear is needed that isn't my own personally. Men or women I don't care they carry it up them mountains. I carried my fair share on trips eons past and thus as trip leader it's a privaledge to distribute the weight around.
I will be chivlarous if the burden gets tooo heavy (i.e. 300 feet of nylon rope) but if the gal can handle it then fine let her carry it if she has no (reasonable) objection.

I agree... he's carrying it too far. Everyone should pull their own weight regardless. It's fair.

[Rich Parsons]

at my studio, whenever the instructor says to roll out the bags from being lined up at the wall, or to put them back, one particular instructor throws a fit if a female goes to do it - and because of that the other instructors also tell the women not to do it, let the men do it.

I thought it was nice at first, like oh, thats convienent, but for some reason its just starting to annoy the hell out of me.

Am I just being stupid?

This leads me to ask a few questions.

Are the male students who treat the women in class as second class citizens? If this is true, this might be an indirect lesson for them.

Is there an instructor who treats women as if they do not belong or as if they are second to the men? Could it be a senior instructor ive the other instructors an abstract lesson?

Do the women, do all the same techniques with the same level of contact as men? If they do, and the only issues, is the matts, I would talk to the instructor who started the precedence. Explaina that you feel separate, and you think it should either rotate or being lower ranks or who is standing the closest, or some other format.

If the women in the class are treated differently and it is not because they wish to be treated differrently. Meaning that some women do not like contact right away. Others, need some level of confidence before they fell comfortable. This is true with some men as well just not as many percentage wise.

If there are issues in one area there might be issues in another, and you might need to look at it from an objective point of view.

I wish you the best in your training.


:asian:

[digitalronin]

at my studio, whenever the instructor says to roll out the bags from being lined up at the wall, or to put them back, one particular instructor throws a fit if a female goes to do it - and because of that the other instructors also tell the women not to do it, let the men do it.

I thought it was nice at first, like oh, thats convienent, but for some reason its just starting to annoy the hell out of me.

Am I just being stupid?

Be Vocal, but polite, that you want equal treatment and can confidently carry/move the equipement. How old is the instructor, perhaps its a generation gap thing.

[hardheadjarhead]

It's absolutely ridiculous...and no, you're not being silly.

They're women, not invalids.



Regards,



Steve

[LateBloomer]

My situation is different from yours. In my very small, very friendly school, everyone is expected to roll the punching bag. However, I cannot manage this by myself as I am only 5' 2" and 110 lbs. I have to ask for help and I receive help.

I do agree that having a school policy of not allowing females to roll the bag is somewhat unreasonable unless the instructor has reasons that we have not thought of.

[The Prof]

Good Morning,

Who knows what their thought process is here. It may not be a bad idea to respectfully ask why and explain that you really would like to assist with rolling out the bags.

I would guess that they may feel that it gets done quicker with the guys, but then maybe not.

Please do not let this little annoyance disrupt your training. If you enjoy your dojo, the students and the instructors, that's all that should really matter. Having a great place to train at is invaluable.

Keep punching and Kicking! :asian:

The Prof

[Brother John]

It's my opinion that if someone is doing something for you or "in your honor" and you don't want it or appreciate it....
let them know, politely...and give your reasons. Acknowledge that you respect that they are trying to be nice/respectful...but that it rubs the wrong way.
THEN::::
if they go on doing it, at least you've said something. At that point, if they are still doing it...they are doing it to make themselves feel better.
Suffer us men our own back patting on your behalf.
;-)

Your Brother
John

[Sam]

This leads me to ask a few questions.

Are the male students who treat the women in class as second class citizens? Is there an instructor who treats women as if they do not belong or as if they are second to the men? Could it be a senior instructor ive the other instructors an abstract lesson?

No, no, the women are treated exactly the same in all other respects.

Do the women, do all the same techniques with the same level of contact as men?

I attend a Tracy's, we have private lessons, we don't have contact in group class, only in sparring.




I wish you the best in your training.

Thanks

It may be a generation thing, I dunno... He's 53 I believe...

[Brother John]

This leads me to ask a few questions.

Are the male students who treat the women in class as second class citizens?
Is this an unrelated topic??
Because it sounds to me like the original topic was merely some misplaced attempt at chivalry.

Your Brother
John

[Feisty Mouse]

Hi Samantha

This is bizarre. "Chivalry" can be nice, or it can be really annoying. I.e. someone offering to help you with a mat/bag at the end of practice, because they feel like being nice, or see you struggling - lovely. Someone telling you "no, you can't do it, it's wrong for you to do it" - not so nice.

I'd ask an instructor why this policy is in place. It seems odd to me.

p.s. Love the sig! LoL!

[Gin-Gin]

It's absolutely ridiculous...and no, you're not being silly. They're women, not invalids. Regards, Steve
What he said. :D

[Flamebearer]

I would have exactly the same reaction as you had. In class, we are not "men" and "women", we are all "students".

This is courtesy going too far.

-Flamebearer