By Dominique Blain
Editor-in-Chief
This week’s Eyeopener offers its readers a twist on the usual; this is the Uncoverage issue.
Intrepid reporters and editors at the paper went out to get answers to all their burning questions.
Some came back with answers; a great deal many are still digging away at them. One thing each of the uncoverages the Eyeopener is offering this week is a different take on what’s important to different members of the Ryerson community.
From somewhat silly…
Olddly enough, the piece that may came off as least hard-hitting — the features uncoverage about manners — happens to be the one that, perhaps, most people ought to read. One of my major pet peeves at Ryerson happens when people stop in front of staircases — or God forbid, escalators — before figuring out where they’re heading.
You’re in the way, buddy. MOVE. I was hoping that the etiquette expert that high-school intern Chi Nguyen enlisted would berate people for that major no-no, but I guess she shied away from every single staircase at Ryerson.
Still, the tips about opening doors, eating with your moth shut and dressing appropriately — and my standards are low enough to merely mean wearing somewhat-clean clothes that cover your body — are more than just tips. I’m not partial to the expert’s reasoning that etiquette today means a job tomorrow, but I’m more than happy to corroborate that every thing she lists as good behavvior is plain ol’ conducive to creating a better environment for all of us.
Seriously… who chews with their moouth open? The moment it’s in your mouth, as far as I’m concerned, it’s yours to savour — privately. Keep the show for another day.
… to Ryerson-defining
Of course, the Eyeopener didn’t stop at manners in the realm of what makes or breaks Ryerson. For instance, I wonder what an etiquette expert would think of the fact that Ryerson still — this is 2005, folks — pays its female professors less than their male counterparts.
Sure, Ryerson appears to be leagues ahead of other Canadian universities when it comes to bridging the wage gap — not that it’s something to celebrate, considering the numbers. But the issue remains that, instead of working towards accepting the lifestyle of women in its paradigm, Ryerson is actively working against it. So, women are the ones who have to shift their paradigms to accommodate the values borne of centuries of male rule.
It’s not just unfair to women; it’s unfair to families. This is not a question of compromise. It is unacceptable to tell anyone, woman or man or other, that in order to be successful and be able to sustain themselves they have to forfeit time with family. Plus, when you get right down to it, home is where you’re supposed to learn your manners. And judging by someone of our expert’s observations, some of you need a refresher.
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