Saturday, March 31, 2012
A moment of silence for the 'death' of chivalry
As someone who was raised in an old fashioned fashioned family, I was raised with the rules of chivalry ingrained in my head. "The woman should always order first at a restaurant," "Hold a door open for a woman," and"One should always pay for the lady when out with one" are all examples of some of the rules I have picked up throughout my life. I have always viewed this as showing respect and kindness to a woman and I was shocked when I heard that some people regard chivalry as discriminatory. I understand why some rules are sexist and have adjusted accordingly, but does this mean the entire system of chivalry is flawed? I would love to get some female views on this and their takes on chivalry.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I mostly find chivalry puzzling. Why should I get to order first in a restaurant, especially if my male friend is ready to order and I need a few more seconds? Why should he have to foot the bill if I just got paid? And on the MCLA campus, everyone should hold doors for everyone else, 'cause those suckers will kill someone if you let them close too soon.
ReplyDeleteWhat I'm saying is that rules of chivalry seem to be based on the idea that women require a special level of consideration. It would be more fruitful if we gave everyone consideration as needed, regardless of gender.
I thoroughly agree with Alex here. The principles of courtesy we call chivalry ought to apply to everyone deserving of them regardless of their gender. Yes, I deliberately left open the possibility of people not deserving of courtesy.
ReplyDeleteWhoever is ready first to order should order first. Everyone ought to hold the door open for everyone else. As for paying at a restaurant, of course a Man shouldn't have to pay but nor should his offer to pay be seen as a reinforcement of that sexist notion.