Difference of viewpoints

I have a female friend that I recently went to a show with. There were ushers who were assisting people on the stairs. She noticed that the (male) ushers were holding out their hands for the women, and simply standing there for the men. She turned to me and said that this made her angry when men did that, because it was a sign that men felt like the women were weak and could not do anything without the big, strong man to protect them.

I see it differently. I see it as a man cherishing women and womanhood by being helpful and kind. I open and hold doors for women, I offer a helping hand when they are on slippery ground. In general, I do this not because I think she is weak, but rather because I want to do what I can to be kind.

I have never before looked at it from her point of view, but I concede that she has a point. After all, why do we not do the same for men? Perhaps it is because we see the men as equals. This brings another question to mind: How do we show affection for a woman, if we are  not to be allowed to help her from time to time? How do we show kindness and affection, while still showing that you respect her as an equal?