Melania and equality

Who knows? I don't and I don't care.

I was answering suzied and MaizieD

and I think it was meant to be a bit of lighthearted repartee
ha ha ha lol

I felt sorry for Melania when they were received by the Obamas. I don't think Michelle Obama put herself in a very good light with a kind of 'What am I supposed to do with this?' expression on her face when Melania handed her a gift.

Accepting a gift in a gracious manner is surely something that should come naturally after eight years as First Lady?

merlot probably. But in the scheme of things..........

I thought it was a pizza box and then when told it was a Tiffany box( who am I to know these things) I decided it was a bejewelled pizza. And yes I think our own dear Queen would simply have held it out for a lady in waiting to take#americanscantrunashowcanthey

Glad it wasn't just me, merlot, who was a bit surprised by Michelle Obama's... what can I call it?... fluttery awkwardness (I should say apparent fluttery awkwardness) when Melania handed her the gift.

gillybob, I think your comments are sensible and non-judgmental. Just think what a song and dance there is when the gutter press, or whoever, is judgmental about a woman the trendy 'meeja' like/approve of.

Box o' chocs.

jalima, ditto re your comments.

I enjoyed the one about your hubby charging ahead. I have one like that. He's not a boor, just socially awkward. Something tells me (politics aside) The Donald is too.

Which comment has hit on another thought: don't the pettiness warriors ever separate people from their politics? I don't think I've expressed that very well. What I'm trying to say is along the lines of it being perfectly possible to 'like' and be friends with someone with whom you profoundly disagree on politics or religion. I think it's important to remember that.

I think it was inevitable you would have a backlash after the result and inauguration. People are just so shocked that he is in power and have to vent. It remains to be seen how he will treat his wife and other women long term. I am not holding out much hope. Most of the power moments I have seen since he has been sworn in show men, men and more men. Occasional glimpse of a female in the background. But it is early days. Now is the time to start planning to reverse the decision next time.

I enjoyed the one about your hubby charging ahead.
he got a bit better when I had my leg in a plaster, even opened the car door for me and walked solicitously by my side
However, back to nearly normal now, he does look over his shoulder occasionally and say 'are you with me??'

I couldn't help but wonder what was in "that" box. It was very nicely wrapped.

Posh chocolates?
Bath Bombs?
A silk Scarf?
A photo frame?
Sexy Underwear?
a manual on how to please your man?

I think it is sexist to criticise a younger glamorous women who hitches up with an old , wealthy man as "gold diggers". Surely the older man can be equally criticised for buying her for her youth, sexiness, trophy wife etc. He is gaining as much in the relationship as she is.

they used to be called 'sugar daddies' but usually avoid marriage.

Perhaps Michelle looked awkward because she hadn't bought Melania a gift.
Oh, that awful feeling

Now is the time to start planning to reverse the decision next time.
Well, I can't plan anything because I'm not American

Stansgran, unlike your own dear queen, Michelle Obama doesn't have a lady in waiting hovering a few feet away to save the Royal hands from being overloaded with two bunches of flowers

Poor Michelle, no table near, no lady in waiting, should she have put it on the ground?

The one at fault was the present Mrs Trump for the need to hand over a gift on the doorstep in front on cameras

She is from the former Yugoslavia - you never, ever go anywhere empty-handed. If invited even just for coffee they take just some nice biscuits or a cake.

I think Michelle should have anticipated the possibility that Melania would bring a gift and accepted it with more grace than she did.

When would you expect her to present it, Annie?

Michelle didn't waste much time putting the box on eBay
www.ebay.com/itm/Tiffany-Box-Pouch-And-Ribbon-/232213225355?hash=item3610fc9f8b:g:p2sAAOSwZQRYg6Kb

Presumably she'll need every penny she can get now, husband out of a job and no home.

(that was a joke btw daphnedill !

And do they wait untill thry step,inside the door Jalima or give their plates of biscuits or cakes on the garden path or at the front gate , and how many years has she lived in America?

Why should anyone anticipate a gift Ana, it is a custom with heads of state and PM's to exchange gifts, but not at the front door

I thought "the gift" was a lovely, warm, gesture from one lady to another. Who knows, it might have contained diamonds

They are a girls best friend after all.

I'm not American either Jalima. However, when faced with a decision which a sizeable proportion of the electorate think is not to their, and the world's advantage, I believe we have a duty to work seriously to do something about it be it in the politics of our own country or one which affects the whole world. It has to be a serious, well thought out approach, though rather than the continuing knee jerk reaction. Well presented arguments and robust debate is usually the way forward.

I believe she has lived in the USA for around 20 years Anniebach but why should that make a difference?

What should she have done? carry the gift in a shopping bag? or perhaps (like the queen)have a minion following behind her to hold it?

People have complained about Melania being discussed as an adjunct to her husband.
Which begs the question, why start this thread?

Can poor Melania win? She brought a gift so is wrong. If she hadn't brought a gift would everyone be saying it was because she disliked Michelle? I usually hand over a gift as soon as I meet my host, this is what Melania did. Can people please stop attacking this woman simply because of the man she is married to.