Gallantry or chivaltry is NOT dead!
By cdparazo
@cdparazo (5765)
Philippines
August 4, 2008 11:38pm CST
I haven't experienced for a long time of any men being chivalrous nor gentlemanly towards me especially when one is riding the public transportation such as the bus or in my case the MRT. Two weeks ago, i went the capital, Manila, I took the MRT twice and I remembered in my past experiences with MRT was that it was always such a tight squeeze of bodies trying to get in and whoever gets to sit down is just one lucky person. However, I had a very pleasant surprise when one gentleman beaconed to me to sit down and take his seat. I can't help but thank the man effusively. On my way home, I also took the same train and I guess I look to be the eldest of all females standing as the train sped on. Then out of the blue, another man, though a bit elderly this time, again signaled me to take his seat and sit down. Well wonder of wonders! chivalry isn't dead. What came next was actually funny since men in Manila is not used to giving way to women. The rest of the men (who are younger) who are sitting also took the older man's example and gave their seats to the other ladies standing. It was such a surprise for me and I also find it sad that I had to be surprised to such a simple chivalrous act which always be given when it comes to gentlemen.
Have any of the men here done anything chivalrous lately or have any of the women here became a recent recipient of a chivalrous act?
6 people like this
9 responses
@paulsy (1263)
• Philippines
5 Aug 08
Well I am happy for you that you still have encountered some gentlemen around. I do agree, there are still some who are courteous and polite enough to give their seats to women who are standing inside the train. However there are those who are really stiff and numb to situations like these. They pretend to be asleep so that they won't feel guilty for not getting up to let a lady take their seat. That really is disgusting. But I still do give credit for those who do go out of their way to do otherwise. These men are few, but they are definitely the ideal gentlemen of our society.
2 people like this
@cdparazo (5765)
• Philippines
5 Aug 08
Those men are really annoying but maybe it may just take a few to give an example for other to follow. Maybe not being chivalrous just started with a few not doing the gentlemanly thing and others saw it and thought that its all right not to be and just followed suit. Who knows a ripple by some could actual turn into a tidal wave and bring out chivalry again. Must be all those food making me so wishful thinking! Happy posting!
1 person likes this
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
5 Aug 08
Oh years ago when I used to take public transport to work it used to make me so angry when men would sit in a seat but taking up two seats because they would sit there with legs wide apart while they read the newspaper...well it is nice to know there are still some gentlmen in this world....
to those gentlemen in case they are Mylotters....
to those gentlemen in case they are Mylotters....
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
11 Dec 08
I am the type that would give my seat up for most anyone be it male, female, adult, or child. I also hold doors open for all people as well. The saying is treat others as you wish to be treated so I do this for that reaspon as well as for being a nice man first and foremost I guess.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
1 person likes this
@ag_abscruzmd (2283)
• United States
28 Sep 08
Hi! I remembered when I was still in the Philippines two years ago when I would sometimes take the aircon bus. It was usually during rush hour so there were many people standing. I would notice that males wouldn't offer their seats to the females who were standing. They would even pretend to be sleeping just to avoid the suggestion that they needed to offer their seats! I'm so glad that chivalry is back in the Philippines and I hope this applies not only at the MRT.
Here in the States, I get mixed situations. If there is anything I could say about Filipino men, at least they are more consistently helpful or hospitable! There was a time I was carrying tons of bags for a school field trip and I boarded the train. I asked the conductor nicely if he could at least help me up so that I wouldn't fall off the steps. He outrightly said, "No!" at my face. I was surprised at that, then I realized I wasn't in the Philippines anymore. Perhaps that's not part of the conductor's job description. But then, the situation's not always the same because one time, I was also carrying a heavy bag and boarded the train but then another conductor just went on and carried my bag for me.
I always believe that helping others should be effortless, and sans restrictions. Happy myLotting!
1 person likes this
@cdparazo (5765)
• Philippines
29 Sep 08
I can't imagine any guy refusing to help here in the Philippines when asked to help. Even if there are times that I felt that guys are not longer that gallant, but it does not extend to refusing to lend a hand a damsel in distress. LOL! I am used to jeepney and bus conductors lending a ready hand whenever I am carrying lots of things. That would really be a sad day for me when I get to meet such outright refusal to help somebody from conductors.
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
6 Aug 08
Hi cdparazo! I have not been going out so much in the public and whenever I do, I am always in the company of my husband or my brother or usually my male cousins are with us. I guess, I am just blessed that the males in my family are all gentlemen and always open doors for me and my female relatives, pull a chair for us to sit, carry our grocery bags,etc..
I hope there will be more gentlemen like them! Long live chivalry!
Take care always..God Bless!
1 person likes this
@urbandekay (18278)
•
3 Nov 08
So, accepting the seat is like accepting you are not equal? You cannot have it both ways, either you want to treated like an equal or not?
all the best urban
@urbandekay (18278)
•
4 Nov 08
I disagree, you say that you want to be treated equal, to have equal opportunities and rights. Well, that is a double edged sword. Clearly you don't want us all to be treated the same, as you rightly state, equality does not mean we are the same.
Well, if you demand special privileges for women then it is just that men may also demand special privileges. But whilst women, such as yourself, seem happy to cling on to traditions that favour themselves they also clamour that where such traditions favour men they must be abolished.
all the best urban
1 person likes this
@cdparazo (5765)
• Philippines
4 Nov 08
Equal in terms of rights and opportunities, yes. Accepting a seat isn't tantamount to saying we are not equal. Men and women are definitely not the same. We have different strengths and weaknesses and I like to think that we were made to compliment each other. Wanting men to be gallant or chivalrous is definitely not saying that we are not equal.
@secretbear (19448)
• Philippines
28 Sep 08
hi cdparazo! 
i just experienced the same thing this week too! i went to church last Wednesday with a guy friend and a girl friend and we didn't have a choice but to get inside the part intended for guys because.. you know how people hurry in the MRT stations. so there inside, the three of us were standing and i was also surprised when two guys stood up and gave their seats to us. its really nice to encounter guys like these. its always a rare event to encounter guys like these.
i just experienced the same thing this week too! i went to church last Wednesday with a guy friend and a girl friend and we didn't have a choice but to get inside the part intended for guys because.. you know how people hurry in the MRT stations. so there inside, the three of us were standing and i was also surprised when two guys stood up and gave their seats to us. its really nice to encounter guys like these. its always a rare event to encounter guys like these. 
@bamakelly (5191)
• United States
5 Aug 08
I think that chivalry is still out there. I might not see it too much because I haven't gotten out a lot lately. There have been times in my life where a man can be very courteous and considerate toward a lady.
Please don't lose faith now. You never know. There is always a man out there who is going to be gentlemanly.
