Saturday, March 13, 2010

Is Chivalry Dead?


I hope that chivalry is not dead, but I'm afraid it may be true!
Look around you. I have and I'm not crazy about what I see.           

For instance, public transportation. Love it or hate it; if you work in the city, you probably have to take it.

Every day is an adventure. I see the same faces and silently chuckle at some of their antics. Everyone will get a seat, but yet, everyone will "jockey for position." Where is the train going to pull up? Can I be the first one on even though I take the same seat every morning? Hey, I was on the platform before you, but go ahead. You can cut in front of me. 

I personally thought the women would be the worst, but no! It's actually the men. I have seen men cut in front of women and not give it a second thought. I have seen men take a seat and leave a woman to stand. I have even seen men sit and leave a pregnant woman stand. Where has the chivalry gone? I did not burn my bra!           

I have had doors slammed in my face, been elbowed in the head, been bumped and pushed without so much as an apology. If I walk through a door, I hold it for the person behind me. It's common courtesy! It doesn't matter if it's a man or a woman--hold the door! I don't understand why it is so hard.

In all fairness, I cannot say it is all men. There are a chosen few who exhibit chivalrous behavior. You know who you are!

My son is one of them. He is a little lad in training. We were coming out of Wendy's one day and a woman was following a man out the door. The man did not hold the door for her and my son was not happy. "Hey! He did not hold the door!" he said matter-of-factly. Hmmm. My son is how old and knows to hold a door? Doesn't anyone have manners anymore? 

My CP's DH still opens her car door and has her walk on the inside when they walk down a street.

A friend of mine opens the car door for his wife, stands when a woman enters the room and will not sit until a woman takes her seat. *sigh* I think I was born in the wrong century.

What about you? Do you have any stories to share of chivalrous behavior? Have you seen it and does it still exist?                        

6 comments:

  1. That is so true! Men have lost their chivalry. What is wrong with men these days?

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  2. I'm afraid it's not just chivalry that's dead. I'm afraid it's politeness in general. It seems more and more, everyone is concerned with taking care of #1. We can only hope more parents strive to turn the world back one child at a time like you have with your son. Good job and great post!

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  3. I agree. Thanks for stopping by and for your comment!

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  4. OMG, I take the train to work, too, and I know exactly what you're talking about. An example that comes to mind is the man who let me and a pregnant woman go in front of him while he held the door. As I turned around to thank him, another man pushed in front of me and nearly knocked me over. The chivalrous guy and I just looked at each other and shook our heads.

    So, it's not dead, but it has taken a beating. :P

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  5. I completely agree with you, Victoria. This is also why I started teaching my son how to be a gentleman when he was two. When he was in Kindergarten a teacher witnessed him holding the door for a little girl. She said, "Well, Austin, that was so sweet that you held the door for Lily." And he replied very matter-of-factly, "Well, you know, I AM a gentleman." LOL The teacher actually called me to tell the story she was so impressed. Definitely one of my most proud moments as a mother. My hope is that when he becomes a man, he'll stand for women, open their doors, walk on the outside of a sidewalk, etc. I just don't understand why mothers - you know, being WOMEN and all - wouldn't stress this to their sons just as avidly as they would with everything else they teach. I agree, Victoria. I was also born in the wrong century. ;) Nice post.

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  6. Thanks, Gina. We need to ensure our little men set the stage for future generations!

    Thanks for your feedback!

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