Then we have plenty of other good examples in the books. Including Rand. And Mat is completely prepared to let a woman kill him- he would have died if Tuon hadn't karated her. Those are just as stupid if you ask me.

We know the Tower AS that Gawyn is helping are jerks, but he hasn't had the benefit of being with the wonder characters. I think that continuing the position he was in makes a little more sense than we give him.

(That all said, I certainly don't think Gawyn is the most brilliant of characters.)