Chivalry............It is not totally dead is it?

Question

I don't think so.
Agree or disagree?
Why?

To chellelee28,
My guy opens doors, lets me go first, always considers my opinion and asks me what i wanna do, offers to carry me when i get tired (though i dont let him incase i break his back lol) always helps me with anything and is just a sweetheart i think that is chivalry.

Answer 1

When a man considers your feelings and is kind and gentle, this is true chivalry. It is irrelavant whether he opens doors for you.

Answer 2

Chivalry has very little to do with the treatment of women. Look it up. It has more to do with obedience to God and country, and martial ethics.

Yea, I hold the door for a lady at the Dunkin Donuts, ya know, cuz her hands are full of the office dough nuts and coffee?

And she looks at me like I'm a turd.

Come on, already... Like I'm trying to work you over? Have you ever dated a guy because he opened the door? Would you start now? Of course not, at least reply to the 'good morning.' Sheesh.

By the way... this is a real woman and I see her every day. Now, when I see her balancing four dozen doughnuts and 12 large coffees, I just stand on the other side of the door and let her sweat it out. When she has the door almost open enough to set her shoulder against and go through, I squeeze past her before she can exit. Take that, you rude witch!


That said, Chivalry has more to do with filial obedience, obedience to the Christian God, and military conduct than it does with the treatment of women. The fact that most people believe that it primarily concerns women should tell you that it is dead, many times over.

Answer 3

Chivalry in it's true form was more about following a knightly code of honour than a way of treating women, but in it's modern sense the latter is mainly what it has evolved into.

So in the first form, no Chivalry isn't dead, many martial arts and military forces instill a distinct code of ethics and honour which is not dissimilar to ancient chivalry. As both a martial artist and an ex soldier I like to think I hold up to these virtues.

As far as chivalry and women are concerned, no it isn't dead. Not yet anyway, but it isn't far off. I was brought up with 'old fashioned' values (I'm 28) and still hold doors open, buy roses, etc. But it has gotten increasingly difficult over the last 20 years to act in a chivalrous way. It is women themselves who are killing it off. With the advent of feminism, especially militant feminism, women often demonised men who acted chivalrously, calling them arrogant and patronizing; and women demanded equality, yet cried foul when they were actually treted the same as other men. With the vastly changing roles of both men and women in todays society, is it any wonder men are unsure how to act? Make up your mind ladies, you either want us to buy you flowers and pay for the first date or you don't. If you want the doors held open for you, don't look condescendingly at us as if we've just insulted you. Simple.

Answer 4

Chivalry will never die, though it may get on the endangered list now and then.

For every 10 women who simply refuse to acknowledge the fact I have held open a door for them, allowed them to pass in the street by giving them right of way, let them in-front of me in a que, and many other things, there is one who says thank you.

That's all it takes to keep chivalry alive.

Answer 5

Just about. I was going into a shop before and the guy infront let the door swing right in my face. If i would have been a step closer it would have broke my nose.
I think guys see women as equals now, we fought for the right, so why treat us any differently???
I disagree with that statement though, it is just the general view of my guy friends.

Answer 6

I thinks it's almost extinct among the young guys, which is a real shame. I think we need to re-emphasise the importance of getting respect from men, not allowing them to treat us all like b*tches and whores.
It's a shame that only 100 years ago women were risking life and limb for equality and now we just allow young men to act like disrespectful idiots. It's about time that we stopped this, and demend the respect we deserve.

Answer 7

Chivalry is not in itself dead, though sometime the manners of those on the receiving end of it appear to be ~ through the demonstration of the lack of them.

However, 'Beware,' as Oscar Wilde (I believe it was he who ) said, "Good manners are the last refuge of a scoundrel."

[ my apologies if the quote is in error ~ it was read a long time ago. ]

Sash.

Answer 8

I think men are a bit scared to offer to help women these days in case the woman turns out to be one of those raving feminists who doesnt appreciate having the door opened for her. But why is it called chivalry when a man gives up his seat for a woman, but politeness when a woman gives up her seat for a man? Anyhoo I just think its nice for everyone to be polite and helpful to everyone else. I always open doors for older men and women and offer my seat and so on, but I appreciate it when the schoolkids do suchlike for me (except that it makes me officially an old lady!)

Answer 9

No. I was raised that way. It is one of the things my wife loves about me. If I, or one of our sons, does not open the car door for her, she will sit and wait for us to. It is what she has come to know and expect, as she should, as any woman should, from a man who respects her.

Answer 10

Why would feminists want it to be dead? It's been beneficial to men, women & children all these Centuries..

ETA: Chivalry was not specifically men being kind to women only, as in placing their jacket over a puddle. Secondly, and I believe this is the most important factor - today's women have changed into a completely different breed of feminine creature. Just as chivalry may be in short supply - so too are the women deserving of it (or to word it another way, to be treated with chivalry - one should earn it - not expect it). Thanks to feminism, we have too many entitlement princesses running around without a clue as to how to behave like a real lady, and men don't treat them as such (hence, the lack of chivalry)