“Sorry ma’am, I mistook you for a lady.”
When I was about four feet tall, I was holding a very, very heavy department store door open for my mother. I continued to hold it for several more ladies, until one said “chauvinist!” as she entered the doorway. I let it fly. Knocked the btch right on her fem butt. I looked up at my mom expecting to catch hell only to find a wry smile and a wink.
Good for you and mom!