| Parents teach us many things. In my case‚ many are fondly remembered.
One such 'lesson' was taught me by my mother in the early 50's.
'A man always walks on the outside when walking with a woman‚' she would tell me. 'Crossing the road‚ fall back‚ move to the outside‚'she would say.
If I forgot when we were out‚ she would 'guide' me gently to the outside. (I can't recall her ever shouting at me.) I do it automatically‚ even now‚ without thinking.
These days‚ though‚ if I follow the rules as taught I get strange responses. Falling back to move to the outside causes 'younger' women to stop and look around‚ wondering where I've disappeared. It embarrasses them‚ but I just smile‚ remember mum‚ and mentally thank her for being the best teacher anyone could have had.
Chris‚ Nottingham (from Barry‚ S. Wales)
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