December 14, 2005

Chivalry is dead

chivˇalˇry [ shívvəlree ]

noun

Definitions:

the combination of qualities are courage, honor, loyalty, and consideration for others, especially women


i did not make this up people it is in the dictionary. i used to joke around and say that chivalry was dead but today while working with all the jackass males in my department i suddenly realized that it was true. when your young you don't really pay attention. when you get into high school you start to notice that boys are doing things for you for no apparent reason (if you were truely niave). College on campus not to bad, off campus was good, now i don't know if that was because i went to college in Texas or what. they always say that true gentlemen are raised in Texas. Now that i am older I don't know if i can even say that my best friend would hold a door open for me unless i was standing directly behind his wife, even then he might shove me out of the way. I watch Ralland and he does really well with me and his mother, but some times with his sisters-in-laws (not that i blame him with some of them) and other women it comes and goes, but he does it more then most men. i would like to know when exactly chivalry started to die, was it when women asked for equal rights? It does not help that society has tought this generation that you only have to be respectful and courteous to those who look a certain way, you know the type the ones that sit there and twist their hair and bat their eyes and just scream take care of me. clearly none of these discribe me, but trust me chivalry is not waisted on me or any woman for that matter.

that is my rant for the day.

peace

Posted by mal at December 14, 2005 09:06 PM
Comments

Hey, he really doesn't open the doors for me either. If you watch closely, you'll see that I open the door & then he comes up & takes the door so I can finish going thru. Oh, well, at least I get in the door right?

:-)

Posted by: Staci at December 14, 2005 09:18 PM

Hey LeAnne - I'm not sure that chivalry is dead - it comes in many more forms than just opening doors and sliding out chairs too.

I think a lot of us still 'got it' but too many don't want chivalry - they want to be independent. Ya know??

Posted by: Steve at December 25, 2005 06:48 AM

I agree 100%. There is nothing classier than male courtesy! I cried at a wedding once and one of the groomsmen pulled out a CLEAN clothe handkerchief and offered it to me. No, I didn't blow snot on it, I just wiped all my tears with it, but it was pretty wet. I handed it back to him, he folded it and put it back in his pocket. It was touching and I felt respected as a woman. In today's world a lot of women feel they have to hide their feminine, emotional side. This guy considered it normal that I cried and he was totally prepared. Another time I was heading out of church- it was raining and a guy came running up with an umbrella and held it over me all the way to my car. The BEST time I ever had at Bath & Body Works was when they hired this cute college guy to work there. He was completely charming (not gay) and very courteous. The manager there said their sales sky-rocketed when they hired him. The place was ALWAYS packed with women who came just to see him. There are closet knights out there and fortunately for gals like us, you don't always have to be a miss priss to find one. Great post!!

Posted by: Trailady at January 6, 2006 09:14 PM