too independent?

ok. question. is there a such thing as being too independent? and if so, where is the line drawn? i need to know.

we were preparing for our Easter production at church today. moving stuff (chairs, plant fixtures, etc.). being the worker bee that i am, i started moving the chairs that are on the pulpit to a spot where the men could take them and place in the hallway. the chairs were a little heavy, but i was only moving them to the edge of the pulpit, the men would take them the rest of the way. i'm thinking this will save time 'cause the guys don't have to come all the way back to the front of the church to get the chairs. i was scolded, saying let the men move them all the way. fine.

then i move our floral centerpiece which sits on a plaster pedestal (you've seen those pillars in crafts stores) and come back for the pedestal itself. it was by no means heavy in the least. my two and half year old nephew weighs more than that. all of a sudden, i hear "what are you doing? let the men get that! you shouldn't be lifting the heavy stuff." i'm bewildered at this point, 'cause same said nephew could lift this thing with one hand. both a man and a woman said that to me.

i reply, "it's not heavy and i'm trying to help get things in order because we're behind schedule." then the WOMAN replies, "that's why the men don't do anything now. 'cause ladies like you who think they can handle things own their own all the time. you could've easily just asked one of the men to move that heavy pedestal." ok. what the crap? i'm female and so that entitles me to acting like a weak link? i'm also thinking that the guys could've just as easily just come over and moved it. sheesh. "it's not heavy," i say. "ok. fine," she snorts, "don't say anything next time we need the men to do something."

did i miss something here? maybe it's my upbringing or personality. i don't like to fiddle-faddle around when something needs to be done. why do i need to wait for the guy to move something that i can easily move myself? better yet, why do i have to wait for a guy to do anything at all?

now don't get me wrong, i am not a believer in that a guy's help is not needed at all nor do i believe that a guy's presence it useless. trust me, if the pedestal or chairs were too heavy, i would've gladly called upon my male counterparts to move the stuff. i grew up with a father who is a very hands-on person. he likes to get things done and if he can do it himself, he will. my mom is the same way. daddy taught me how to do a lot of stuff most GUYS can't do now. ie. change a tire, fix a hole in the wall with some plaster and sheetrock, and whole mess of other stuff.

i am single, i live ALONE. what am i supposed to do? wait for a guy to do these things for me? do you know how hard it is to find a guy to give up some his free time to do some of these heavy-duty chores i need done around the house? i'm independent, but very much a daddy's girl. if i need something done of a manly nature, i call him. he lives an hour and half away from me, but will get it done faster than any of my guy friends. besides, with the exception of one person, the guys i know already said that they don't do manual labor.

i know a girl who's husband fills her car with gas for her every time. because she doesn't know how to pump the gas. she even had my sister drive one time because her car was on "e" and she had to wait for him to refuel for her. what did she do before she got married? her dad filled the car for her. her mom's, too. give me a break!

so my question is to you. guys and gals alike. how much independence is too much? how much should we depend on the opposite sex? help me out. because i'm really baffled why moving a freakin' plant would be cause for alarm about my independence!

be blessed.