Is chivalry dead among Filipino guys?

Question

i usually take the MRT when i go to work and i have noticed that rarely will a guy offer his seat to a woman. i really couldn't quite hide my chagrin as even if there's the pregnant, the elderly or the physically challenged among them, they would ignore these people and some would even pretend to doze off...

please don't tell me that it is because of equality. the "if men can very well stand in the MRT, women can too," mentality. of course. but a guy proffering his seat to a woman shows his character.

comments?

thanks.

thanks for all the input, guys.

in those instances, i am the one who offer my seat to others.

allan, i am sorry to inform you that most filipino guys just don't do it anymore...

and yeah, it's a global occurrence.

Answer 1

Chivalry is dying everywhere in younger men. Some middle-aged men still have it though.

I had the same experience in the MRT. A man of about late 20's was sitting there, looking around, and when this senior citizen came in he suddenly "fell asleep". I was rather horrified by this, so I stood up and let the old lady have my seat. There was also this time when I was the only girl standing on a bus, and when a woman left her seat, this guy nearly ran me over in his haste to get the nearly vacated seat first.

The fact that equality among the sexes should not even be an excuse for this sort of behavior. Letting an elderly person or a pregnant woman have your seat is *decorum*, and not something that could or should be justified by a person saying that "men and women are equal". Letting somebody who is of obviously weaker stature is not defensible by the thought of equality. And while we do live in a world where the strong thrive, there should also be a certain degree of respect that is found when an older person's welfare is in question.

And in terms of "equality among sexes" being the excuse why many men do not practice chivalry anymore, why is it that this so-called "equality" is only recognized when obligation is in question? Those so-called yuppies who say that equality is the reason behind their not giving up their seats do not think of this equality during working hours, with some still treating their female co-workers in a patriarchal, domineering way. Why is this so-called equality only recognized when their seats are in danger of being given up to a pregnant woman?

Overall, chivalry is dying, and the society providing men with this *equality* as an excuse is not helping.

So, I take my hats off to the good few men who do still show us that chivalry is not dead. I hope that the world sees more gentlemen, and I certainly hope that the day never comes when in a bus, the ones remaining standing are all females.

Answer 2

The above poster had a good point. If you're a young able-bodied female (say around mid 20s) and there's a teenage boy (say 17) sitting on the metro, who perhaps is constantly being reminded in school about women's equality, then what is his incentive to stand up and let you take his seat?

But I totally, totally feel that men should offer their seats to old ladies or elderly in general. And I would definitely support giving up one's seat for a pregnant woman. It is totally rude for a young man to stay seated while an elderly person, a pregnant woman, a much older woman, somebody very overweight, etc. is standing.

My parents are both from Egypt but I was born here. In Egypt most people ride public transportation, and whenever there's an older woman or pregnant lady most of the times people will give up their seats to accommodate them.

of course, I cannot speak for the Filipino guys. It would be sad if what you're saying is the case. I am in full support of that kind of chivalry, myself, and I think that it's good for men and women.

Answer 3

To be honest, I did this several times when I was in Philippines and sometimes I take a ride using MRT and one time I saw two elderly husband and wife and they got hard time climbing the stairs of MRT at Ayala Station. What I did is I grab the woman hands and guide her towards the booth for a token. Suddenly a young man approach the old man too and help him.

What I've noticed is Filipinos need a good leader in order to have a good follower. This also relates to our Government Officials, who will follow the law if the one who implement violate it.



wink-wink

Answer 4

It's about time. The last time men gave up their seats to able-bodied women in the USA was about the same time the Equal Rights Amendement was in focus--a long time ago. That's how most American women like it and I am in complete agreement with them. Otherwise its just hypocrisy. Of course this stance does not apply to the elderly and pregnant or ill people.

Also, I think you are putting wayyyyy too much stock in this "if he gives up his seat to a woman, he must have character" belief. Pickpockets and playboys do that on the L/MRT, and we all know their intentions are never chivalrous.

Most of us know that a man's (or a woman's) true character is determined by how "Well" he maintains his core values in the face of adversity (e.g. having integrity, not selling out) and not because he can cornily offer a seat to a complete stranger on a train.

Answer 5

Don't think that it is only in the Phillipines that chivalry is dead. As a woman when I see a pregnant or older person standing on the Metro I offer my seat. I don't see a great number of men jumping up to give up their seat.

Answer 6

I was once so late for my appointment to the city. I am the only female passenger in the bus. There were these 3 Pinoy guys who not even look at me to offer the seat. Thanks god one Sudanese guy offer his place. Damn, and these pinoy made the blah blah blah that they been waiting for the bus for 3 hours... And so, doesn't need his offer anymore I got the seat from other nationality.

Answer 7

I can see it is dying everywhere especially amongst the younger generation.
Very discouraging to see a young boy/girl sitting while a pregnant woman, a handicapped person or an elderly person is standing. SAD, VERY SAD.

Answer 8

Just think about how chivalry is dead in most young guys these days. You just need an older man to show how a lady should be treated.

Answer 9

I apologize for the young men of my generation. I'm afraid they have a flawed definition of "equality of the sexes" - as explained exceedingly well by ms scarlet . I have to agree then...chivalry is seriously dying, if not already dead. It's sad, isn't it? A whole generation of youngsters who would never know what it's like to be a knight in shining armor.

Answer 10

I think its dying all over, I noticed that teenagers didn't even THINK about offering a seat in church to my pregnant wife when we arrived late and she had to stand the whole service