Chivalry is “the combination of qualities expected of an ideal knight, especially courage, honor, courtesy, justice, and a readiness to help the weak.” (Google)
Sounds pretty great to me.
It is now 2018 and feminism is running rampant. Because of the rise of women campaigning to be equal to men, I feel that the need for chivalry may become extinct. And if we are being honest, why wouldn’t it? I am all for girl power and equality, but what’s the matter with some good ole’ fashioned courtesy, manners and respect?
When there are women complaining about being equal to a man, but getting frustrated because they aren’t getting womanly respect, it’s no wonder guys get so confused. We think guys are the confusing ones (and at times they definitely can be) but we are the ones changing the rules every other second.
Chivalry is not meant to be degrading to women, or show that we are less than men, it is a sign of respect and kindness. Men that hold doors, buy the meal, say ma’am, and let us in front of them in line are the real men that have been raised right.
I went to NAPA auto store recently and was treated with about as much respect as a lady could receive. The two men in front of me were asked by the employee if I could go first, to which they very kindly obliged. I was treated like a lady, had my requests taken care of, and the amount kindness and chivalry were incredible.
I left that store with a smile and felt like the lady I am. The holding of the door and letting me cut in line weren’t to be rude, mocking, or make me less of a person. Those men were simply being kind and showing me respect.
Human to human, and man to woman.
It was refreshing to be treated with such respect by men. We have lowered our expectations and showed men that we demand less respect in the name of equality. Those men showed me that Chivalry is not dead yet.
See, most of us want our Prince Charming, and knight in shining armor, yet there are those women that complain when men act the way we say we want them too. Chivalrous, kind, and respectfully. I say we change things around, turn the tide. When a man holds the door, say thank you.
When they offer to pay, let them. If they offer to hold your books, why not? It’s not that difficult, and it makes a difference. Maybe the way to get to equality and peace is to make up our minds about what we want and expect from men and let them meet our expectations.
It goes both ways though. If we want respect from men, why don’t we treat them the same way? Instead of accusing men of everything, casting the blame, changing our minds about our expectations, and treating them with contempt, why don’t we show some kindness and respect?
Let’s allow chivalry to continue so it does not disappear altogether. Maybe I am old-fashioned, but I think relationships would be stronger, and sweeter, if we allowed men to treat us like ladies, and if we treated them like men. If Chivalry is on the decline, it is our job, ladies, to ensure its survival.
