Posted by Kali on July 20, 1997 at 02:38:01:
In reply to Crossing streets posted by Jessamyn on July 20, 1997 at 01:38:46
I read somewhere that in France at the beginning of the (19th) century, the streets were so bad and women's clothes and shoes so flimsy that they would actually be carried across the streets by men who hung around waiting for such business opportunities to arise. Does anyone know anything as to the truth of this?
] I have definitely seen a plate of a woman crossing the street, again in France, around 1815 or so. She's picking up her skirts and treading on a board which has been laid down by a guy in tall boots, whom she will presumably pay when she reaches the other side.
Paying for chivalry in the land which invented the word! Silly! Serves 'em right for fearing sturdy boots! ;-)
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