Now, I am not a particularly tall guy, but I am nonetheless male, of a fairly muscular build, and of a formidable enough countenance that it normally takes an extremely dark and lonely street or several guys bigger than me before I might become somewhat wary.

And of course, having actually known a woman or two over the course of my life, I do have some concept that most do not have the luxury of feeling so confident in assuming safety in so many situations.

What brought this particular rumination to mind? I was outside, having recently gotten back from an appointment, and I had to hobble my way around the house and up the front stairs to the porch, where I wanted to sit and relax for a bit. An older guy was walking towards the house as I was rounding the corner -- and reflexively, I noticed that he was a bit scruffy looking, an older guy but a decent size. I felt self-conscious going up the stairs, because it shows off fairly well that I'd be relatively helpless in responding to any sort of agression.

So I'm sitting on the porch swing, and the guy says something to me. I couldn't understand him -- so I didn't say anything. Essentially, I'm thinking this might be some crazy guy, and the last thing I want to do is invite his company.

"... had a cast up to here," he says, indicating his hip. I realize that what he said before was, "I did that ... for a year and a half..."

So now I can safely nod and say, "Ah..." (Yes, I am quite socially brilliant.)

"It ain't no kinda fun." He says.

"No, not so much..." I reply as he's disappearing from sight.

My point is -- it's broad daylight out. Under normal circumstances, though I saw no one immediately around, I would not have feared the presence of this guy at all. Now however ... it's actually in my best interest to gauge the degree of danger. Because should I guess that I'm safer than I actually am, I am quite easily screwed.

Of course, I realize that most of the women that I've known would most assuredly not fear a random guy walking down a street, just because he mumbled something in passing. But as far as that goes, most of the women I've known could beat holy living hell out of me right this moment.

And that's the really educational part. Women rushing ahead of me to hold open doors. Opening car doors. Running and grabbing a chair for me to sit, and something to put under my leg. Carrying things for me.

Of course, these are things (okay, except for the leg-chair part) that a "chivalrous" man might do for a woman. And some women some times might appreciate it, and some times feel annoyed by it. And I think I can understand that perspective somewhat more than I could.

Carrying something -- yes, I can carry it. Yes, you could carry it a whole lot easier. I suppose whether I'll let you help will depend on exactly how much I need the help, what our relationship is, and why you're helping. Same for the door, same for escorting me home at night.

There's the fact that I'm physically weaker, yes. But I am not helpless.

So I don't know. Kinda irrelevant, because I don't imagine I'll be carrying anything for anyone for quite some time. Oddly enough, I have tried holding doors open for people, and I guess because you can't trust the guy with crutches, they'll usually at least lay a hand on the door too, just to make sure.