Is chivalry dead?

@sutan74 (1112)
Philippines
June 29, 2008 2:27am CST
But….today’s society has made me skeptical of “nice” gestures by strangers..I guess that is because there are not too many strangers these days that do nice things for people which is sad. Ladies, does it really bother you when a man tries to open the door for you? Maybe when someone offers you his seat on the bus? Many men, and women find themselves confused about what is polite behavior and what’s an insult. I think the bottom line is an individual is doing something nice for another individual, male or female. Therefore it’s natural to just smile and say thank you.
2 people like this
5 responses
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
29 Jun 08
thats what I do. smile and say thinks or I hold the door for someone in a wheel chair only nice thing to do
2 people like this
@sutan74 (1112)
• Philippines
30 Jun 08
Even small gestures like that can make people happy...
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
1 Jul 08
yup sure can!
1 person likes this
• India
29 Jun 08
Skeptical in a way gives one the awareness of not be defrauded or cheated, through any of their actions. As the modern world has too much centred on selfishness and egotism, these kind of offering seat.. are a genuine warm smile to make a true friendship is creating doubts in our minds.. I am more or less in lines with you.. never accept a free gift.. or a free help.. with out assessing the need for them to do it.. But will in most of the cases refuse it with a polite smile. Take care friend. A nice good topic..
2 people like this
@sutan74 (1112)
• Philippines
30 Jun 08
Ahh yes, sometimes we doubt the goodness of other people because of bad experiences with people who have done us harm. But you know, I still think that doing some asct of kindness does exist in all of us. If someone offers me a seat in a bus I would gladly take it and give that person a warm smile.
1 person likes this
• Canada
23 Jul 08
If a man wats to do something for me pecifically because I'm a "lady" I'm insulted, but i another person wants to do something for me because s/he and I are both human, that's a different story. If someone holds the door for me because s/he happens to already be there, thank you. I will do the same or them or for someone else. Seats on busses are obvious because I walk with a cane. I would hope that if I was a man they would ofer me the same kindness. I am always out of the car before my husband has the chance to come around and open the door. LOL
1 person likes this
@sutan74 (1112)
• Philippines
26 Jul 08
Hi, I think its not common for men to offer the same courtesy to their fellow men what they do to women. But it would be nice to see people doing good things to their fellow human beings either male or female.
@laglen (19759)
• United States
29 Jun 08
I am all for random acts of kindness. and I hate what women's lib has done to men. The fact that a man can't compliment you because it makes it harassment. What has this world come to? I wouldn't date a guy if he didn't open doors etc. I am old fashioned but yet I am a professional woman and I can do this in a man's world (my town is still that) and get by just fine. But I never for a minute try to be a man. This gains me the most respect.
@sutan74 (1112)
• Philippines
30 Jun 08
Hi laglen I know what you mean... I'm still old fashioned and would like men to do things that makes them a gentleman in the old days...
1 person likes this
• Canada
23 Jul 08
I am relieved to know that I am not the only one feeling this skepticism because, let's face it, being nice has been so terribly distorted that we can no longer trust the genuine. Our society is so confused by entitlement and common courtesy, I sometimes want to ask where all the good people have gone. Many of us say thank you for the courtesies extended to us, whether we believe them or not, out of simple, ingrained manners. Doing something nice, even if that is the intent of your heart, leaves you suspicious by others. Maybe I should ask where our respect for humankind is gone? I agree with your skepticism.
@sutan74 (1112)
• Philippines
26 Jul 08
Thanks for sharing... people have change a lot. Over how many decades our behavior, character, beliefs have been influenced by a lot of changes that has happened in our time. Before we can trust most people but nowadays we have to be wary of the intentions of other people..