Gallantry: n. Bravery, chivalrousness; fine looking: gallant attentive to women, politely amorous-gallant : suitor; lover; man of fashion v/t escort; flirt with; play the gallant.
Chivalrous: adj. protecting the weak and oppressed; gallant, brave; courteous and protective esp. to women; of chivalry or knighthood.
I was outside,
the bookstore,
this morning,
lovely,
mild,
pretty light.
I was leaning,
on the,
parking meter,
with my sleeves,
pushed up,
trying to,
get some,
colour,
on my,
pale arms.
My bookstore is,
on a busy,
city street,
it’s not,
Ste-Catherine,
but,
we get traffic.
So,
this older lady,
was going to cross,
the street,
at the corner,
when a SUV,
came up to,
the stop sign,
well, it’s Québec, so it says Arret, but, I digress:-)
He stopped,
and,
waited,
even motioned,
with his hand,
for her to,
proceed,
she shook,
her head,
vigorously,
No,
with a frown,
on her face.
He looked at her,
with,
perplexity,
which,
soon,
turned to,
anger,
and,
then,
he gunned,
his truck,
down the street.
I don’t want,
to read,
too much,
into it,
but…
it,
struck me,
as,
sad.
I realise,
the lady,
is a weary,
city dweller,
who doesn’t,
move,
as quickly,
as,
she used to,
and she’s,
probably had,
a few,
hairy,
experiences,
But…
this man was being,
considerate,
polite,
trying to be,
a gentleman.
A missed opportunity,
for both of them,
to feel,
a tiny bit,
better,
about themselves,
and the,
world.
Hmm…
If,
civility,
and,
everyday,
garden variety,
politeness,
are,
qualities,
which,
are,
wanning,
what of,
gallantry?
chivalrousness?
That’s what,
came to mind.
A while ago,
I wrote,
a column,
about,
butch bachelorhood,
in which,
I wondered,
what,
women,
want.
My friend,
busy writer,
who is always,
kind about,
my writings,
offered some,
constructive,
criticism,
in the form,
of a series,
of questions,
I might ask,
myself,
in order,
to get,
a better handle,
on my subject,
in the future,
making it,
tighter,
grittier,
and,
knowing,
my friend,
a tad more,
controversial,
one question,
that really,
got me fired up,
Do you only open doors for cute women?
I know she was teasing and trying to get my goat, and perhaps provoke a tirade, that would lead to a good column and maybe, ultimately, it will.
My first reaction,
was,
Of course, not!!
and,
I thought about it,
and,
still,
of course not.
I open doors for all,
women,
even,
an occasional man:-)
You see girls,
I believe,
in,
gallantry,
and in,
chivalry.
I aspire to be,
Gentleman Butch:-)
I’m not sure,
I always,
succeed,
but,
I try.
Obviously,
civility,
and politeness,
should go without,
saying,
in a civilised,
society.
But,
are gallantry,
and,
chivalrousness,
considered,
old-fashioned?
anachronistic?
patronising?
sexist?
I mean is it wrong,
to want,
to help,
a woman with,
her coat?
door?
packages?
Does it in any way,
dimisnish her?
Does she see it,
as a,
put down?
as a,
come on?
I love independent,
women,
and,
I like to hold,
the door for them,
and say,
“after you”
What do you think?
Is gallantry macho?
<wink>
Later girls,
BB
At first it seemed to me that even the most emancipated, independent woman would (should?) graciously accept a handsome butch opening a door for her or offering a hand with her heavy load. And even the most liberated woman should (would?) offer a smile or a thank you in return.
But then your question spun around in my head. Maybe a strong, independent, emancipated woman would only accept that kind of chivalry from a handsome butch?
So us plain types, are toast:-) and yes, I’m pulling your leg…wink