Chivalry: Courteous behaviour, especially that of a man towards women.

Since the emancipation and liberation of women, it is often said that it has become increasingly difficult for men to understand how they should behave towards them. After all if women want liberation, to go out to work and to be treated the same why should men offer them their seat on a crowded train?

You will also hear statements such as “they don’t want that sort of treatment anymore” or “it’s downgrading to treat them like that”.

Personally speaking I am yet to meet a member of the fairer sex who has objected to having a door opened for her and if your seat is not required when offered then it’s the simplest thing in the world to politely decline.

So we say come on Gentlemen let us behave as such, grab the bull by the horns and bring back some good old-fashioned chivalry, what have you got to lose?

Here are some examples!

  • When dining always offer the lady the seat facing into the restaurant that way she gets the more interesting view.

  • Offer to carry heavy shopping.

  • Open doors and let her go first.

  • Stand up when a lady enters the room, just be careful with this one as you could be up and down like a jack in the box, maybe best restricted to when a lady joins your table, unless in a smaller gathering.

  • Hold out her chair for her when she sits down.

  • Ladies FirstHelp a lady on with her coat.

  • Offer your seat on a busy train or bus.

  • When walking along the street, walk on the traffic side, this originates from the desire to protect from splashes etc from passing cars. Be careful with this one some ladies can find this annoying!

  • Forget at your peril the value of flowers or an impromptu meal!

  • Walk round and open her car door for her.