“A new academic study claims that men who smile at women, nod encouragingly when they’re talking or open doors for them may be guilty of ‘Benevolent Sexism’. Professor Judith Hall claims such behaviour is designed to ‘entice women to accept the status quo in society, because sexism literally looks welcoming, appealing and harmless’.

She’s right, of course. And do you know what else looks welcoming, appealing and harmless? Friendship. Politeness. Good manners. Putting people at their ease. All those things your parents taught you about how to get on with people. It’s not the finest prescription for a happily integrated society if women are told to treat fluent conversationalists, good listeners and warm smilers as crypto-sexists.”.    (John Walsh, The Independent)

Well said, Mr. Walsh!  This Professor appears to be at Northeastern University and her fields are Social Psychology and Nonverbal Communication.  She is typical of a certain academic attitude, disconnected from reality, that discounts and rubbishes  the things that make life fun and pleasant, ascribing the worst motives and instincts to men in particular.  She illustrates the unhappy fact that there are too many people wasting their time on petty-minded research ostensibly proving politically correct propositions   She may make her mark among the small number of homophobes, but I hope we can laugh at her and her so-called “benevolent sexism”, which is merely a pathetic bit of attention seeking.

As for me, I will continue to smile at women, take an interest in their views, open doors for them, help them out of awkward taxis.