A question for the men and women of The Escapist

[faspxina]

Men are supposed to be naturally stronger than women, as well as having a bigger fighter instinct, due to having testosterone and stuff. But nowadays I've met women as capable of handling their own as many other men.

You helped a friend in need and that was a nice gesture, regardless of anyone's gender.

 

[MasterOfWorlds]

I'm a protective person, so it's what I would do. I'm always looking out for all of my friends. It just so happens that most of my friends are female. I do tend to do more for them though.

As for the mosh pit specifically, I'd probably let a little bit happen, because that's part of the experience, but if it started getting violent, I'd start dropping people with no hesitation. XD

 

[Biodeamon]

I wouldn't care. I look pretty weak at a glance and i won't start fights, but if i'm ever in one i'll lash out viciously

 

[Tim Mazzola]

I always just ask. I'm like "do wanna be blocked?" or "are you ok?"... however, the women with which I go to shows tend to actually like moshing XD

 

[A Free Man]

I really hate this issue. Granted it isn't always the case that men are bigger or stronger then women. However men are generally built that way so a lot of the time that's how it ends up. That doesn't really matter, it doesn't mean one is better then the other. However if you are able to protect someone close to you from getting hurt regardless of their gender I think it is nice to do so. The only reason it is often the men protecting the women is simply because they often have the greater ability to do so. If it was the other way around I don't think I'd have any problem with someone else helping me out.

 

[Nulmas]

Nothing wrong with helping out people.

And honestly, if she felt insulted by it, that would be her problem, not yours.

I'm all for equality and in my opinion, when a girl feels bothered because of this kind of things, it's a matter of "feminist insecurity".

Not that it doesn't happen with guys too, who somehow feel the need to prove how manly they are. Acting in a moronic way has nothing to do with your gender

Anyway, don't worry: You did good.

 

[XHolySmokesX]

I've been in this situation before.

I've been at gigs before where a girl in front of me that i didn't know was getting a little pushed around becasue she was pretty short, so i was acting as a wall to take quite a bit of the shock for her.

However i do like going to gigs with just 1 or 2 mates, and i don't mind getting seperated, i'm there for the music not to make sure im in the same place as my mates the whole time lol.

...we can reunite afterwars...

... dw, it's cool...

 

[brunothepig]

Well, I do happen to have a fair bit of experience with mosh pits, and I have protected my girlfriend once or twice, for what it's worth. I'm not really the best meat shield, I'm small. But really, I've never had to really worry. Mosh pits are friendly places, people will stop and help you if you need to get out, or if you've been knocked down.

 

[Knusper]

In the unlikely event of me actually going to a show with a female, I probably wouldn't protect her unless she's about 5'2'' and is clearly hurt, otherwise, it would just be patronizing when she acn fend for herself and I find that being knocked around at a concert is part of the experience.

 

[Hazzaslagga]

To be perfectly honest if you don't want to be in a mosh pit they're usually pretty damn easy to avoid. So if you have to protect someone just move them out the way. Bar drunkards and a few Idiots, most people in a moshpit are fairly helpful if your in trouble.If they want to go to the front then yeah i'd probably shield a female friend but to be honest you kind of expect your back to get bumped quite hard if you go there and if you don't expect it, your a bit stupid. Also slightly off topic damn you shirtless people in mosh pits!

 

[Boombox2003]

I have done the same with two girls at a gig, it just seemed like the thing to do.

 

[Flyingchciken93]

I actually find myself doing that sort of thing for anyonne who looks like they need it, friends and strangers, men and women and even people who are physically bigger than me. You dont even think about it most times

 

[Labyrinth]

Personally, and I know this doesn't go for everyone, my presence in a pit indicates that I'm there for the pit, for the shove, for the rush.

I'd add that protecting only women is sexist. If you'd also protect men in the same situation, that's fine. The immediate assumption that women are at a disadvantage of being weaker or unprepared is what troubles me about these situations.

 

[Sethzard]

In your situation I would have helped her. I would probably do the same for any small people.

 

[phantasmalWordsmith]

I'm a bloke. If I was in a situation, I would probably do the same thing

If it was any friend of mine, I would always do my best to protect them, male or female (Probably cause I'm the strongest of my friends and the most intimidating but that isn't saying much). I would never consider a woman inferior to me, I just feel like it's a man's place to protect a woman should the need arise.

I don't think of it as male superiority thing, in fact I actually relate it to female dominance over men. I believe in chivalry, I'm sorry if that's considered sexist now but it just makes sense to me.

 

[BottleOfAwesome]

Male.

Just because a girl can handle herself is no reason for chivalry to die. You don't do it because she's helpless, you do it because it's the kind and polite thing to do. There's nothing wrong with that, and not enough people do it anymore.

Precisely this.

 

[JemothSkarii]

I'd do it regardless of whether she needs help...I'm 5"6' and about 67kg and in a walking frame, so I have some added protection. Chivalry is a part of me, and I don't care whether they view it as sexist or not, if I think I need to protect them, I will. Granted, never been in a mosh pit, and I don't plan on it.

 

[LordFisheh]

Gender is irrelevant, you put yourself in pain to protect a friend. I can't see how doing that is anything other than admirable.

I think it's a rather cheap thing to do to take a friend's 'sacrifice' like that and turn it into a soapbox for gender issues. In most cases, it isn't a case of 'durr you're a fragile woman' but one of looking after the people you care about.

 

[somethingprofound]

Slight tangential question but, if you protect women instinctively is it considered sexist? as sexism to me implies a concious gender selective decision...

O.T. Male. I usually stand on the fringes of mosh pits as my glasses seem to be a magnet for limbs... but I tend to stand as part of the wall to protect the fringe dancers from people flying out of the pit because ... well I don't think about why, I just do, helping people around me is second nature.

All in all, it is not bad if you instinctively feel the need to protect those you care about or feel you could care about, you are not a bad person unless you believe you deserve a reward for protecting them.

 

[Taldeer]

I've seen Opeth and Tool live in Hungary. I've seen ISIS live in Germany. I was expecting some moshing around there, went in the right mindset to hold my own, but nothing ever happened. I wouldn't start moshing because I'm sort of a gentle giant and don't wanna end up hurting anyone unintentionally, but I was expecting something...

Anyway, yes, I would protect someone who looks in trouble or completely out of context. This includes guys. I have a female friend who is proud of her scars from moshpits (and lemme tell ya, she's one grizzled veteran if I ever saw one). She'd probably take offense at me stepping in to save her ribs. But I think that's rather silly.