Contrary to the familiar trends of posessions, fashion, and technology that becomes so horrible boring and passe in a matter of figurative nanoseconds these days...have the formerly routine efforts of the chivalrous man become something newly grande?
Reading a magazine column, I found myself asking and wondering ... why?
Personally speaking, I would never dream of expecting chivalry from a man the way women used to be able to count on. If he wants to open doors, help me with my coat, or walk on the street side, I'm not going to stop him. Unless of course he's a dumbass about it. Which leads me to my next question...
Has chivlary died because men just don't believe in treating women with an extra touch of special or is it because we, as women, have stomped on their efforts so many times that they have given up trying?
I think the answer lies somewhere between them both, placing the blame squarely on the shoulders of society as a whole. For example's sake, let's take a look at my life...
The men in my life are usually at fault simply because the majority of them are too caught up in something else (whatever that issue may be) to even make the effort. Gee, thanks. No, it's ok...don't get up. I feel just super special that you treat me just like you would your buddy that made you late for kick-off. At least you brought the car to a complete stop when it came time for ME to get out. Those that do make the effort usually don't for very long. And that is where the blame shifts to me...
I am at fault in my life because I am a firm believer in the idea that if you are going to do something, do it right. Like it or not, this applies to acts of kindness as well. I appreciate the effort put out by a man that wants open doors for me but if he is constantly opening the door into my foot, smacking me in the head with his elbow as he tries to reach over my head, or leaving me standing at a second door looking like a fool ... I'll do it myself, thank you very much. No, you don't get an A for effort. You get a D for poor attention to detail and the inability to learn from previous mistakes. I mean, I wouldn't dream of you making any unusual effort on my account. Maybe that just makes me a bit too bitchy for chivalry.
*shrug*
Where ever the blame lies, it is a sad state of affairs when being nice is something so unusual that it garners such attention and carries the expectation of praise in return.
Posted by Princess Cat at August 22, 2005 08:58 AM @ 08:58 AM in Random Much? // Permalink | TrackBackI would have to place the majority of the blame on Feminists. Do you realize that, thanks to them, if I hold the door open for a woman at my place of work I could actually be charged with sexual harrassment?
But don't worry, there's still some of us dinosaurs around that just don't care -- we're going to do what's right, including everything chivalrous, no matter who's watching.
Posted by: Ogre at August 22, 2005 10:53 AM