Question

In Marie Priesland’s memoir, why did the American guards yell “Ladies first!” and push the men away from the water pail? Why were the women dumbfounded by the guard’s actions?

Answer 1

Answer:

The guards brought a pail of water and, as soon as men attempted to drink, insisted on women drinking first. This was shocking for the Slovenian women because in their country "women were always second to men."

Explanation:

In her recollection of arriving in the United States, Priesland depicts a warm day in which everyone was thirsty because of the heat.