Friday, December 10, 2004
Idiotic Chivalry on "The Apprentice"
On December 9, 2004, in episode 14 of The Apprentice, I saw something so silly I had to write about it. Kelly, the software exec from Carlsbad, CA, and Jennifer M., the securities litigator from San Francisco, entered the boardroom as the final competitors. As they approached the table, where Trump patiently awaited them, Kelly pulled out the chair for Jen. What?!?!?!? Jen wants nothing more than to kick Kelly's ass. Why would he do that? Jen is his peer. Why chivalry, in 2004, especially at work?
Jen said in a solo vignette that Kelly doesn't have what it takes to run one of Trump's businesses. Kelly likewise said that Jen hasn't a creative or organizational bone in her body. Moreover, he can't stand her. He said he does everything possible not to share space in any room with her. Yet, he pulled out her chair. Why? Stupid. He doesn't owe her that gesture any more than she owes him a poured cup of coffee. Unfortunately, such old-fashioned behavior is ingrained in Kelly's socialization.
By the way, in my opinion, neither is qualified to work for Trump. Jen is contemptible and will get eaten alive by enemies far and wide. Kelly is married to his spreadsheet. Neither knows how to engender loyalty and support -- both attributes needed for success. At the end of this episode, it was clear that neither team wanted its boss to succeed. Not good.
Tell me what you think about extending chivalry to a woman who is your equal and wants to eliminate you.
Marc H. Rudov
Author/Publisher
The Man's No-Nonsense Guide to Women
(ISBN 0974501719)
Jen said in a solo vignette that Kelly doesn't have what it takes to run one of Trump's businesses. Kelly likewise said that Jen hasn't a creative or organizational bone in her body. Moreover, he can't stand her. He said he does everything possible not to share space in any room with her. Yet, he pulled out her chair. Why? Stupid. He doesn't owe her that gesture any more than she owes him a poured cup of coffee. Unfortunately, such old-fashioned behavior is ingrained in Kelly's socialization.
By the way, in my opinion, neither is qualified to work for Trump. Jen is contemptible and will get eaten alive by enemies far and wide. Kelly is married to his spreadsheet. Neither knows how to engender loyalty and support -- both attributes needed for success. At the end of this episode, it was clear that neither team wanted its boss to succeed. Not good.
Tell me what you think about extending chivalry to a woman who is your equal and wants to eliminate you.
Marc H. Rudov
Author/Publisher
The Man's No-Nonsense Guide to Women
(ISBN 0974501719)
