We are used to some measure of equality these days, and are surprised when the burden of "doing someone a favor" falls so explicitly on random women. As we go

We are used to some measure of equality these days, and are surprised when the burden of "doing someone a favor" falls so explicitly on random women. As we go through life we end up finding the lines at which each of us will stop. "Will you babysit my three children for five hours for free with no notice?" "Will you move so I don't have to touch your tempting elbow by accident?" "Will you let me blow through this deadline at work so I can.... get an emergency consult about my new leukemia diagnosis? go to Disneyland? take a mental health week? hang out with my new girlfriend?" I'm sure you'd say yes to some of these requests and no to others. As so many office folks have said, "A lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part." We all have the right to decline performing such "favors" for others.