Music is normally the inspiration for the majority of the things I do, and this column was no different. I was recently listening to the new album one of my dear friends recorded, and it hit me that chivalry is 85% dead.
I decided to take this topic up with my Facebook friends because perhaps I was the only one who saw it that way. It turns out the majority of my friends also saw this, including the men on my profile.
So we all agree on one thing, it is a dying breed, but why is it dying? This is something no one seems to agree on.
The first argument I came across was that of feminism being the murderer of chivalrous acts. They argue that by women fighting for equal rights, we are also fighting to hold our own doors open and send ourselves flowers. According to these people, asking to have the same rights as a male in the work room means they no longer have to be affectionate or creative.
The second argument is that chivalry is not dead at all, that it simply skipped a generation. It is said that the majority of men born before the 70's are still chivalrous. Which I can begin to understand partly, as I do see older gentlemen open doors for their wives or buy them flowers on their anniversary, but it is still rare to see it done randomly.
Now, here comes my argument. Ladies stop expecting large gestures! Say thank you when someone opens a door for you so that they will do it again. Men, try doing something nice for your girlfriend or wife, the reaction you get might surprise you, and she may end up returning the favor.
Both sides need to have respect for each other. If you sit around wishing for something spectacular to happen but you are inconsiderate towards your mate, they probably won't feel like being nice to you.
