Let me set the scene for you. You're walking out of a coffee shop with your friend and a guy steps forward to open the door for you. He holds it open waiting for you to step through, so his good deed is done and you, hopefully, will acknowledge the nice gesture. How would you handle this scene?

Would you scoff and quote something along the lines of "I am a woman. I can open my own doors. Men step to the side!"? I am being very satirical with this, but honestly, we have all heard something like this from one of our amazing woman fighters. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this statement or belief. Go you for being open about your beliefs.

I, however, may not handle it the same way you do.

Pop culture has led us to believe in this idea of chivalry: a prince riding in on a white horse, a man rescuing us from our horrible reality, or a man simply opening the door. Somewhere along, during the fight to create equality for men and women, a fight that is still occurring, chivalry became an evil thing, a thing to scoff at and demean.

Why? If a guy holds open a door for me, I will recognize that this is just a person doing something nice for me and I will smile and continue walking. Now, let's take this further. A guy asking you out first, checking to make sure you get home safe, paying the bill, walking you to your door, etc. This is where personal opinion really steps in because some people believe these actions should be done by both the man and woman. I agree. But don't try to debate my entire beliefs simply because I might want this from someone.

I can be a feminist and still believe in chivalry. I can still advocate for rights for women and still let the guy pick up the check. It doesn't have to be one or the other. I've preached this so many times, but personal experience and personal beliefs are a huge thing. Different things can mean different things to different people. Feminism can mean believing chivalry should be no more and it can also mean appreciating chivalry when it presents itself.

Now, I am not on the lookout for a guy to throw his jacket over a puddle for me, but I still believe in people being good to each other and I believe chivalry is a part of that.

I can open doors for myself and I can pick up a check, but I will always appreciate it when someone else does that for me.