Chivalry

I'm not going to say chivalry is dead, because I know that's not entirely true, and I want to give a few guys out there some credit. But I wish chivalry didn't surprise me and catch me off guard when I encounter it. I wish I didn't think twice when a guy opens a door, allowing me to walk through first while placing a hand on my back. Not in a pushy way, just as a common courtesy. Because it is just a common courtesy, it just isn't very common. Whatever happened to giving up your seat on a crowded bus, or walking on the side of the sidewalk closest to the street? What happened to opening car doors? What happened to holding out the chair? I'm not saying I expect all those things. I'm not even saying I would necessarily like all those things. I'm all for capable women. I can cut my own meat, tie my own skates and check my own oil. The point is general thoughtfulness. The point is that I don't expect those things....ever...and that's a little sad. I think there should be a minimum standard of etiquette between men and women. A baseline of courtesy and kindness that everyone is expected to adhere to. Then maybe guys would actually have to step up a little bit to impress a girl. Then girls might feel more widely respected and valued regardless of their relationship status. Maybe then this would translate into more self-respect. Women have kind of dug ourselves into this hole. I'm not a feminist, although I do agree with some of their aims. Feminism just takes this whole equality thing to the extreme sometimes. I don't want a man to treat me like a man. I want a man to treat me like a woman. An equal, but a completely different equal. I don't want to be babied, but I am impressed with good old fashioned manners. Chivalry isn't extinct, but it is on the list of endangered values.