Auld Edwardian
A-List Customer
- Messages
- 336
- Location
- SW VA Blue Ridge Mountains
I coined the tongue in cheek phrase years ago, “Chivalry is not dead, it’s just an endangered species.” Chivalry I believe is a natural outgrowth of etiquette, or what we more commonly call manners. I like Emily Post’s definition of etiquette that I read in my 1941 genteelly out of date edition of her book. She explains that true etiquette is the considerate little things that we do throughout the day to make life more pleasant for one another. She further stresses that when one tries to use polite social conventions to make another look foolish or looked down on, it ceases to be etiquette and has become something rather ugly, that is snobbery. When one has been properly trained by whilst growing up, or has determined to develop polite manners on their own, it is a very natural thing to act in a chivalrous manner whenever the opportunity arises. Thankfully in my case I learned the basics at a young age, and determined to improve from there on my own. Also I have also resolved not to give in to this crass and vulgar age, and am now training my young son to be a gentleman. I have found that most ladies are pleasantly surprised, and appreciative, when I hold a door, or offer some other act of consideration. As for when I hold a door open for the angry feminist types, I just ignore the clenched hands and the angry expression on their faces because I dared to commit such an unforgivable act, because I know in the end I did the right thing even if they were unappreciative. In closing I believe that chivalry is not dead, however it is very much under siege in this present age. In the end we must decide as individuals, families, and even as a society if we value showing respect and kindness to one another, or to be selfish, self-centered, or even cruel. As for my family and I, we will always try to defer to chivalry that naturally flows from a proper understanding of etiquette.
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