Great article. Thanks for sharing it.

I've noticed a similar dynamic when I'm waiting in public places, especially lines. Although I've seen women try this (and I know some of them specifically try it with men), some men seem to be experts at not seeing other people waiting in line. They engage in pushing or asserting themselves to the front of the line (or deli counter, etc.) This has so annoyed me that I've worked up the courage to start asserting myself by interrupting and letting the clerk (etc.) know that I was next. Usually the man is embarrassed at getting "caught" (an indication that they knew what they were doing!), but some actually get mad. Of those who have gotten mad, it was not because they actually believed they were rightfully ahead of me. It was because they were in a hurry and they felt that somehow their situation was more important than mine!

I agree with Johnstone's theory that we assess each other for "status" when we make the judgement to move or not. Within that context, I think that physical size has a lot to do with this behavior. You see it in the animal kingdom all of the time. Elephants usually don't worry about what is in their path --- but the smaller animals make sure they are not in the elephant's path! Though we are animals, we are also *rational and conscious* creatures and, therefore, can be expected to rise above the behaviors of the animal kingdom.

One thing I've started doing in an effort to help men and women "see" each other is to educate children in play situations. Overwhelmingly, I see boys acting aggressively toward othters, though some girls can be aggressive also. When I see that happening, I let the child know that there is another person there who needs to be treated with respect. (Obviously, I use age-appropriate language.) Some kids look really surprized when I point this out, as if they've not heard it before. Not all of us work with or are around children, but for those who are, I think educating kids is always worth the effort.