Chivalry is dead

There was a nice little shower today at quitting time. Yes. God waits until I have to drive home to unleash holy terror in the form of water from the heavens, i.e. rain. But Kim and I are standing under the awning at work just looking at the rain when a male co-worker (who shall remain nameless) comes outside. He watches Kim and I run through the rain to our cars. I am now sitting in the driver’s seat soaking wet and my cell phone begins to ring. It’s Kim, who has made it to her car, albeit with wet cleavage (thank you, Kim, for feeling the need to share), telling me to turn around and have a look. What I see is rather irritating and only proves that society is going to hell in a hand basket. This male co-worker who has just watched us run through the rain has busted out an umbrella and is strolling casually to his car. And they say chivalry is dead. . .

There was, once upon a time, this courtesy that men showed women. I guess it all died with women’s lib. I suppose I have a very traditional view of the roles that men and women play. There are obviously differences between the sexes. While I am mentally capable of handling any job a man can, there are some things that I am not physically able to accomplish. We are all entitled the same rights and levels of respect, but let‘s face it, we have different things to offer.

Upon entering the dating world, I have seen a lot of this first hand. Usually the ones worth keeping still have these common courtesies still in tact. In other words, they‘ve been raised right. Those who don’t. . .well let’s just say that their rears met the curb. If you can’t begin a relationship with the small stuff, then the big stuff is going to be even more of a hindrance. Ultimately, all good relationships, romantic or otherwise, start with at least a tiny bit of common courtesy. Here’s an idea: next time you see someone who will get drenched by a monsoon and you have an umbrella, offer to walk them to their car. It’s a tiny deposit into the bank of respect that will go a long way. I know, that was cheesy, but true.