Louve00
Posts: 1674
Joined: 2/1/2009
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This is what I think. I think we all have these definitions, or terms, or boundaries, that have been planted in our minds since forever. They even have a name and the names of these "things" are called memes. Memes are all those things like........."LeeAnn hold your knees together when you are sitting! A lady would NEVER sit with her knees apart!" "LeeAnn, don't run in the house. A lady never runs indoors!" "A lady never wears jeans." "A lady is never without a clean handkerchief." "A lady never raises her voice."
I read a book called Virus of the Mind that talks about memes and what they are. A meme IS a virus of the mind. And like all viruses, they grow, they're passed on, they infiltrate us to our very cores.
The definition of a lady is: (according to Webster's)
1 a : a woman having proprietary rights or authority especially as a feudal superior b : a woman receiving the homage or devotion of a knight or lover2 capitalized : virgin mary —usually used with Our3 a : a woman of superior social position b : a woman of refinement and gentle manners c : woman, female —often used in a courteous reference <show the lady to a seat> or usually in the plural in address <ladies and gentlemen>4 a : wife b : girlfriend, mistress5 a : any of various titled women in Great Britain —used as the customary title of (1) a marchioness, countess, viscountess, or baroness or (2) the wife of a knight, baronet, member of the peerage, or one having the courtesy title of lord and used as a courtesy title for the daughter of a duke, marquess, or earl b : a woman who is a member of an order of knighthood — compare dame
The definition of a gentleman is: (according to Webster's)
1 a : a man of noble or gentle birth b : a man belonging to the landed gentry c (1) : a man who combines gentle birth or rank with chivalrous qualities (2) : a man whose conduct conforms to a high standard of propriety or correct behavior d (1) : a man of independent means who does not engage in any occupation or profession for gain (2) : a man who does not engage in a menial occupation or in manual labor for gain2 : valet —often used in the phrase gentleman's gentleman3 : a man of any social class or condition —often used in a courteous reference <show this gentleman to a seat> or usually in the plural in address <ladies and gentlemen>
Really, anything that varies greatly from those definitions is a meme. If you were to ask me what I thought a lady and gentleman were, they would not vary too much from Webster's definition. And to reword or rephrase it, I would say they would have to possess the qualities of being polite, courteous and civil. And since you asked I would rather be known to have integrity, than be a lady. But being a lady certainly wouldn't be bad either. 
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For the great majority of mankind are satisfied with appearance, as though they were realities and are often more influenced by the things that seem than by those that are. - Niccolo Machiavelli
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RE: Ladies and Gentlemen.....? - 
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