Gentlemen, Is chivalry dead?
- Thread starter DonMartin
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I think that chivalry is dead only when radical feminists think it should be. What I mean is that it's selectively bashed. For example, only men can ever lead ballroom dance, even when outside of competition? Totally considered "sexist." However, the rule that men can't punch women? Oh, that's totally okay.
Personally, I've always found that a bit unfair.
On the other hand, some chivalry is alive. Sort of. In some of the mid-northern American states, people still hold the door open for each other ALL THE TIME. If you don't do it, the general reaction is for that person to think, "Dude, what the hell?" However, on a trip down to Louisiana, I noticed that people don't hold the door open nearly as often. Odd. Especially since I considered the Southerners more friendly than the Northerners. I dunno how much that applies to chivalry, though.
As far as men being stared at for offering their jacket to women when they're cold, I wonder if this is maybe more of a state-by-state thing? Where I live, it isn't considered all that odd. The only time I ever freaked out because a guy friend offered me his jacket was because I was in 5th grade and didn't want people to think I liked him ("ew, cooties" and all that). Or maybe it depends on the woman. I dunno. I don't usually think it's weird.
I think some of the best parts of chivalry are frequently absent, but that the ones that survived are irritating. The whole you-can't-punch-a-girl thing. In my opinion, if someone REALLY deserves a punch in the face, then sex should have no bearing on it whatsoever. In fact, I find more women who need to be punched than men. (*sigh* C'mon, ladies. Grow up. I thought science said we mature faster?)
Personally, I've always found that a bit unfair.
On the other hand, some chivalry is alive. Sort of. In some of the mid-northern American states, people still hold the door open for each other ALL THE TIME. If you don't do it, the general reaction is for that person to think, "Dude, what the hell?" However, on a trip down to Louisiana, I noticed that people don't hold the door open nearly as often. Odd. Especially since I considered the Southerners more friendly than the Northerners. I dunno how much that applies to chivalry, though.
As far as men being stared at for offering their jacket to women when they're cold, I wonder if this is maybe more of a state-by-state thing? Where I live, it isn't considered all that odd. The only time I ever freaked out because a guy friend offered me his jacket was because I was in 5th grade and didn't want people to think I liked him ("ew, cooties" and all that). Or maybe it depends on the woman. I dunno. I don't usually think it's weird.
I think some of the best parts of chivalry are frequently absent, but that the ones that survived are irritating. The whole you-can't-punch-a-girl thing. In my opinion, if someone REALLY deserves a punch in the face, then sex should have no bearing on it whatsoever. In fact, I find more women who need to be punched than men. (*sigh* C'mon, ladies. Grow up. I thought science said we mature faster?)
I certainly hope Chivalry is dying. I'd rather we were just polite for the sake of being polite, regardless of gender. Wouldn't that be better than rationing it out in a way that ultimately ends up coming across as patronising?
Crass: Yes.archvile93 said:
Philosophically sound: Yes.
To me, chivalry nowadays translates to casual (often unintentional) acts of kindness. Eg: the typical holding a door open, carrying something heavy, etc. The difference is that nowadays women can hold doors open for men too, without it being considered abnormal.
Well I do say! No, not at all. Its obviously not quite as forefront as it has been in previous generations, but the art of being a gentlemen is surely not quite so vanquished in our modern age of motor cars and adding machines.
*sips tea*
*sips tea*
I still rescue fair maidens from possessive dragons with a kidnapping contest, all while donned in plate mail armor. So no, it's not dead for me.
Pretty much yeah. Chivalry is the knights idealised image. It's about keeping the poor man powerless and the rich man unquestionable. It's about killing Muslims and keeping Jews in ghettos. It was nothing more than social conditioning to allow for the brutal enforcement of the feudal class system.clockout said:
I do my best to treat everyone with respect, female or not. If they drop something, I pick it up. If they are coming my way, I hold the door for them. While I have indeed been chewed out by die hard feminists saying, I am a chauvinist pig for my actions and that I am repressing them, I try to shrug it off as best as I can.
While far from a Gentleman, I am indeed chivalrous.
While far from a Gentleman, I am indeed chivalrous.
This is pretty much exactly what I was going to say, except I was going to say:emeraldrafael said:
"Chivalry isn't dead, it's just on life-support with a crowbar embedded in it's skull."
That may be what it meant when the idea of chivalry was first propagated, but it is not the contemporary definition of the word. It now means just what the definition says, bravery, courtesy, ect. Just like crusade now means a struggle of good instead of a war of the cross.Axolotl said:
yep its dead, and good riddance as has been mentioned traditional chivalry was monstrous as well women killed it by the way.
My sociology professor said that I should "leave chivalry for dates" and out of the workplace.
God forbid I treat a lady nice.
Yep, chivalry is dead and feminism killed it.
God forbid I treat a lady nice.
Yep, chivalry is dead and feminism killed it.