As I crossed the parking lot the other day, heading toward the bookstore entrance, a man about 15 feet ahead of me stopped, waited for me to catch up and politely held the door open as he allowed me to enter ahead of him.
Maybe it's because I live in the south but I can't remember the last time a man did not open the door for me. I assume that such a slip in manners has occurred, but I have no recollection of it. By my estimation, every man within the last year who has approached an entrance at the same time as I have has always held open the door for me. It is not that I stand there waiting for them to do so; they willingly take the initiative. My uncle practically races to the door so he can open it for me.
This is not a gesture I take lightly. I always make it a point to say thank you in a tone that suggests this courtesy was a pleasant surprise. And it usually is. Even though it happens all of the time, I never expect it.
Such chivalry may not be dead but it is slowly waning. I can remember, as a teenager, visiting my mom at her office. She introduced me to a group of men who stood up as we entered the room. This particular act of gentlemanliness never happens to me anymore.
If chivalry is dying, my gender is partly to blame. It seems we women have traded chivalry for independence and equal treatment. Some women are actually offended by men performing acts of kindness reserved solely for the opposite sex. Personally, I am not ready to throw the baby out with the bath water. I enjoy the gallantry. With every swing of the hinges, I am reminded of the beautiful differences between men and women that I have come to embrace.
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1 comment:
Very nice. Up here in Chicago I have been talked down to for holding a chair or a door...by the woman I'm holding it for! As you know, I have an eager-to-please personality anyway, so chivalry is something I'm happy to do. But sadly, sometimes it's not appreciated or even wanted.
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