I rarely check luggage when I'm traveling for work. Not only do I desperately need my things, but I'm never in one place long enough for a lost piece of luggage to catch up with me. This means that, when boarding a plane, I have to hoist a heavy bag to the overhead bin.

I had an interesting experience this week. While waiting in Charlotte (NC) for my flight home after talking about UPLIFT at a breast cancer symposium, I saw a German-speaking family (father, mother, two daughters). I boarded the plane just before they did and was about to negotiate lifting my bag to the bin, when the father, in perfect English, said, "May I give you a hand with that bag?" And he did, without a moment's complaint.

I've never had this experience before. Never. On occasion, if my bag is particularly heavy or my back particularly tired, I'll look around at the men boarding the plane near me, hoping that one will take pity and offer to help. They look away and keep their mouths shut. What is it with able-bodied men in this country that keeps them from showing the least amount of gallantry?

Just this afternoon, I was hauling a heavy carton filled with copies of UPLIFT Express to Kinko's/FedEx for mailing. Balancing the carton on my middle and holding on with both hands, I approached the front door of the store just as a 70-something gentleman walked by on the street. He took one look at me, turned, went to the door where I was headed, and opened it for me. A 70-something gentleman. He puts men half his age to shame!

Let me say here that my husband always helps women lift luggage. But he's the exception, from what I've seen. What is it with those other men? If any of you have any idea, I'd love to know.