Chivalry is an inate "gift" placed in us by God. It is God's Awesome Love that we see reflected in others. Let me explain:
It is a Grace God gives us in order to "see" that we are all "His Creations". If we "See" this in others...this Wonderful Love...then we want to Respect it -- Protect it -- Reciprocate (with our own Love).
Especially those that are not as strong as we are...or not able to defend themselves or provide for themselves.
We are MANDATED by God Himself to Honor...Serve...and Protect those that need us.
I was lucky to have a Father that exemplified that everyday with his actions and deeds. I also got to put it into action while serving in The Military. It is a natural instinctive reaction for me to behave in such a manner and it gives me great joy and pride to do so.
Most men today were never held to These High Standards. The sixties saw Women's Lib and The Pill further erode that expectation in men (some women would yell "chauvinist pig"...if you held a door open for them!). It is all just a "lack" of maturity and self-centeredness and is just not being Taught (neither in school or at home).
All fathers that have sons should have their sons go through a process of becoming a Knight. Explain to them how a Knight first around the age of eight became a Page. This is when his training began. You would explain how the young man had to do well in school and at home (doing chores and so on.)
At the age of around sixteen he became a Squire. You can have him learn more "physical" means of protection (martial arts) or sports.
Finally at eighteen...he becomes a Knight.
Use your judgement as to what needs to be accomplished at each stage, but make each one a Big Deal...with some sort of "Official" momento or such.
When he finally becomes a Knight, throw him a party and present Him with a Ring signifying that he is now a "KNIGHT". This ring could be passed on to each generation.
It works! My son could not wait to become an Official Knight. He wears and displays that ring with Honor.
Oh goodness...I didn't mean to make everyone pick on Dennis for spelling. I just realized that chivary is a legitimate word with a legitimate definition, and then wasn't sure exactly which one was intended. Chivalry is a good thing; chivary isn't so great, in my opinion!
I love to see Knightly men!! :applause: And although I agree chivalry isn't dead, it's certainly on the Endangered Species list!! Haha!!
So, is their such a thing as chivalrous women? Personally, I think women should show many of the same qualities, but not all. I think of it more like the "respect your elders" rule. If I'm sitting in a crowded room and an elderly person (woman or man) comes in, I give them my chair (or handicapped or ill) but I might not offer it to someone younger.
I think it is a man being the truest gentleman that he can. Opens doors, holds chairs, waits, asks, is always watching around her. Respectful, loving, considerate.
And yes - totally - I think women can (and should) be this way towards their husbands.
OOOOOHHH Chivalry!! Yeah, if I don't open the door for my mom she will stand there until I do.
I think it depends on the girl. By that I mean it depends on her expectations. I once read that when on a first date a man should let her do things for herself but if he continues to date her and she allows him to open doors for her, put her coat on her and so on then it's ok. This may have been for a younger generation than mine. When I take a lady out I do everything but order her dinner for her.
I was out to dinner once with a girl that I was on a second date with and we had a waiter that kept asking my her if everything was ok, if we needed anything and so on. I left the table for a moment and found the waiter and told him that if he had any questions for us he was to direct them to me. He gave me the weirdest look! :goofball: It's funny though because my date wondered why he quit talking to her. Later I told her what I had done and she just laughed and then thanked me for being so sweet!
Chivalry is not dead but the nature of it has changed. Men don't put their coats on a mud puddle any more for a woman to walk on or need to be concerned with whether they walk on the curb side of the sidewalk or order dinner for a lady but there are still ways to show we are willing to give her needs priority. Whether women admit it or not it is built into their nature to look for a suitable provider. Chivalry shows a man's interest in being a gentleman toward her, treating her like a lady and taking care of her needs.
Now, Thunder brought up a good point too... Ladies... if we ever have a man that "put their coats on a mud puddle" for us to walk across, or show "concern that they walk on the curb side of the sidewalk"... well, let me just tell you, "that man" is a PRIZE! Call it old fashioned if you want too, but that's chivalry at it's best! Chivalry works both ways, as Godslamb said.... both women and men should have that kind of behavior towards one another.. ( of course us ladies, would NOT do as the men by the examples... but you catch my drift here!..lol ) ~ GraceMae
The guy I'm dating ALWAYS walks on the curb side! And if there's a mud puddle in our path, he guides me around it while making sure that he's the one who has to walk closest to it. He always opens building doors for me, and he opens and closes the car door for me too. If it's chilly and I forgot my coat, he offers me his own coat. Pretty great, if you ask me!
And yes, women can be chivalrous too, though in different ways. For example, letting a man open the door for her, or letting him take the lead in a situation can be seen as femininely chivalrous. She could also give up her chair to an older person. She can show respect. She can behave like a lady.
