Gentlemen, Is chivalry dead?

[DonMartin]

After a frivolous joyride on the interweb, I came across this spiffing website, dedicated to the old-fashioned chaps, the gentlemen: http://thechap.net/ (please note that this website does nay have anything to do what Im asking here, its just a jumping off point.)

This very site got me thinking. Is chivalry dead? Are the values of the stereotypical gentleman unwanted in a society that demands complete equality between the sexes?

Now please, dont get me wrong. I have very liberal values, of course i support feminism, everyone's equal. But the thing is, I have noticed that the progression of women's rights, however righteous and good for our society it is, has "endangered" the gentleman.

My point is this: Can chivalry exist in a society where everyone is to be treated equally? I, for one, have more than once come across a situation where a lady has critisized my behaviour, saying that I think that "women cant take care of themselves." That's just not true! Also, just offering your coat to a freezing woman is more often than not considered weird, and the gentleman offering his jacket has been stared at, like he was doing something wrong.

So, calling all gentleman escapists, all you chaps, and also, or especially, all female escapists! Your view on this? (feel free to comment on the website here too, after checking it out.)

EDIT: The Poll seems to have failed. How quaint.

 

[The Amazing Tea Alligator]

It exists in proper tf2 servers these days, if you ask me.

 

[emeraldrafael]

I dont think so. Chivalry is manners really, so as long as though exist, its not really dead. I always just say what my friend Jake says, since he saw I'm one of the few people left who actually is chivalrous.

"Chivalry isn't dead. Its just in a coma, with a tumor, and severe brain hemorraging"

 

[Jedamethis]

Of course it's alive. Last time I checked I was still alive damnit!

Anyway, who cares if you get weird looks? It's the right thing to do.

[sub]In your face Lord Mountbatten! I arrived here first.[/sub]

 

[the_pleasure_is_mine]

I think chivalry is rarer now. Not quite dead.

I think I'm generally fairly chivalrous... I've lent my jacket to girls before, then again I;m a teenager and we all do weird things.

 

[Lord Mountbatten Reborn]

I am chivalry! Apologies for that boastful display sirs.

 

[nunqual]

I consider myself a gentleman, and all women I have encountered appreciated it. I always hold open doors, give women my coat, and treat women with respect. To not do so is disrespectful and shows an improper upbringing. I don't think women are beneath me, hell, if doing all of this stuff shows anything, it's that we think women are above us.

 

[SwimmingRock]

If it's not dead, it's being beaten into hiding every time it rears its head. I should know. I was raised to be a gentleman and I've gotten no end of trouble for it. Fortunately, I've found two classical dance groups where the behaviour is not only accepted but encouraged, which gives me an outlet for that side of my personality. Generally, though, I know better than to even try.

 

[Duskwaith]

Its the whole question of is it sexist or is it just good manners.

Its good manners, you should be polite to everyone you meet not just women. Remeber Chivalry was between men aswell and I dont mean holding doors for them it ranged from combat to social interactions.

 

[DonMartin]

I am chivalry! Apologies for that boastful display sirs.

No worries, old chap, that rather dashing avatar of yours makes up for it in every way.
Good show!

 

[Lord Mountbatten Reborn]

Also, that website you linked to Mr. OP, is absolutely fantastic!

 

[ProfessorLayton]

Who would think that being polite is sexist? Jeeze, that's just silly... people look for things to complain about.

 

[the Dept of Science]

Well, chivalry implies that you are doing a nice action mainly for the reason that the person in question is a female, which distinguishes it from simply "being nice".

I have heard people say that they have been scolded by women for holding a door open for them, the women citing that this is "anti-feminist" or "partronising" or something. However, if I was in that same situation, my answer would be that I also hold the door open for men, because I'm generally a nice guy.

So what I'm saying is that chivalry strikes me, on reflection, as "selective niceness". If you want true equality, without the death of "chivalry", you hold doors open for men and women.

My second point would be that a lot of people use the banner of equality to ignore actual differences, whether biologically or socially.
The bottom line of the problem is that men and women act differently, they generally enjoy different things and see things in a different way. This has been true throughout the history of civilisation and some things are pretty deeply ingrained in the public conciousness. Not to say that it is all correct, I'm not saying that we should go back to the pre-Sufferage movement.
Looking at it, this may seem contrary to my first point, firstly saying that you should be equally nice to men and women, then saying that on a fundamental level, they should be treated differently. However, to reconcile my beliefs, I'm going to say that you should be equally nice to both groups, while recognising that they may see things a different way.

 

[Jedamethis]

I am chivalry! Apologies for that boastful display sirs.

And ladies, Mountbatten old chum.

 

[Dimitriov]

I am chivalry! Apologies for that boastful display sirs.

/monocle!

 

[AssassinJoe]

If any one group gets special treatment because of the group they're in then we aren't all equal are we?

 

[DonMartin]

Also, that website you linked to Mr. OP, is absolutely fantastic!

Quite so!