sentinel00

Equality aside, we should ALWAYS give up our seat on the bus/train/subway to a pregnant woman. Unless you are 90 years old or infirm, please let the pregnant woman sit.

Also, if you see a single person with an infant or todler, hold the door open for them. Strollers and Baby Carriers are designed for the protection of the child, not ease of use in public areas. Give a hand, will ya?

collegial

[ December 17, 2001: Message edited by: collegial ]</p>

ju'iblex

thankyou brighid, you summed it up more beautifully than i ever could

Roarke

Or if you are a pregnant woman.

[ December 17, 2001: Message edited by: Roarke ]</p>

brighid

Thanks Juiblex!!

I had to argue with A woman on an airplane once when I was 7 months pregnant!! I had requested an aisle seat when I ordered my tickets and asked for it again when I checked in. They said they gave me one – but it turns out they gave me a MIDDLE seat. So, when I got to my aisle there was a woman sitting on the end and I asked her if I could please exchange seats with her and she out right refused. I then explained to her that I had requested and aisle seat for obvious reasons and I would really appreciate it if I could sit on the aisle. She again said NO!! Finally, I got a bit indignant and told her – Ok Miss but I am 7 months pregnant and I have to pee every 5 minutes, so if you would like to get up every time I have to pee then by all means keep your seat. She decided it would be better if I sat on the end! I think it was more rude specifically because it was a woman!

When I was pregnant I can’t remember a man ever being rude and not helping out. I was actually astonished by the number of times I got hit on while pregnant. That was VERY weird, but appreciated considering my state.


Brighid

Megatron

Now in this case I absolutely agree. That's not chivalry, however... not in my opinion anyway. That falls far into the field of common human decency, and it's just damn rude not to help people out when it's appropriate.

MrLoverLover

(Edited to remove offensive material.)

[ December 20, 2001: Message edited by: sentinel00 ]</p>

Bree

What's your definition of chivalry?

Mageth

I consider women equal with men. I am not condescending to women. I think "chivalry" is an outdated term. That said, I am polite and courteous to women and men of all ages. I've seldom if ever had a woman complain when I hold a door for them, offer them my seat, or offer to escort an aquaintance to their car (e.g. at night in a garage or parking lot). I don't do these things because I consider women to be the weaker sex, but just because it's the nice thing to do.
What's wrong with being nice?

Baloo

Jill has two blind dates: one with Joe and one with Jack. Both are polite, friendly, nice guys, and neither has any characteristics that substantially increases Jill's attraction towards one or the other. Except. Joe pulls up to the house, honks the horn, and comes around the car to open the door for Jill. Jack honks the horn and remains in the car, allowing Jill to get the door herself. It is raining when they get to the restaurant. Unfortunately, there is only one umbrella. Joe lets Jill use the umbrella and remain dry, while he gets drenched by the rain. Jack does the fair thing, and shares the umbrella, getting both himself and Jill only mildly drenched. After a nice dinner, Joe picks up the check, and pays in full. If Jill looks put-out by not being able to help, he lets her get the tip. Jack is fair; he picks up the check, does some mental arithmatic, and tells Jill how much she owes. Back to the car, still dry with Joe, mildly drenched again with Jack, Jill goes. And so on...

Does anyone want to take a guess at who, in this day and age, is more likely to get a second date? In general, using either Jack or Joe's behavior (subtle chivalry vs. polite fairness), who is going to have more second dates in life? Who, therefore, is going to have a better chance of a long-term relationship? A marriage? Children on which to bestow the very behavioral guidelines that led to his own success of reproduction?

Chivalry is a part of the human courtship ritual. He who courts better is more likely to attract a mate, and has a better chance to propagate his genetics and behaviors to the next generation. It is natural. I hope anyone who says otherwise backs themselves up with examples of male members of other sexual species on the planet which do not court females.

It takes but a minor extension to see that not only is chivalry during courtship beneficial, but PRACTICING chivalry outside of courtship is also very beneficial, as it lends to more graceful, subtle, and effective chivalry during courtship.