There are just no Gentlemen left.
Apparently there are no gentlemen left. That sentence has come up a few times recently. As an classic romantic soppy type it saddens me, but the people who moan here might be right. This post-feminist society has men whimpering, with their tails between their legs. We’re unsure where the line between being respectful and being demeaning lies. I have actually been muttered at by girls as if I’m some sort of dinosaur when I open a door to let them past - “No, I can do it, honestly...” Well girls, yes you can, but you don’t have to - for goodness sake! I’m not belittling, its just a gesture of respect…funny thing is, I bet the same girls are happy to let boys deal with those darn tricky jam jars. It’s the same with giving a girl your coat if shes cold - surely, that’s just the way it should be? But I’ve been told off for doing that too - maybe I’m just living in the 50’s. It just seems obvious that if she’s cold and I’m not, she should have my jumper. Even if I am cold, she should still have it, intuition tells be I’m better kitted out to deal with it….
Then again, on holiday with some friends last weekend, I heard a friend say she really liked it when men were chivalrous, she didn’t see it as demeaning or patronising at all - it was quite refreshing. I just thought, “great!” Some girls do appreciate it. I also thought well, it’s no wonder men have quietly given up! Its an easier life to not do something and never offend anyone, than to do it and divide opinion. We guys can’t be expected to always know our audience - especially when its much easier to just ignore it and go to the pub with lads, where holding doors is about efficiency, not etiquette.
Then again, I’m a firm believer in being the change you want to see around you. So I think this stuff is just nice, we could use more of it. It promotes respect, not sexism; which considering the interaction between genders in our society, can only be a good thing.
The thing that brought this all to mind - I was on the train yesterday and I sat opposite a young corporate blonde. She was reading a book, life of Pi, and I was looking absent mindedly at the artwork on the cover. Lowering the book and seeing me there, she frowned and shifted her weight a little and without any trace of hesitation or embarrassment she let rip. Loudly. It was so unfitting. The scent wasn’t the ‘fitting’ Coco-Chanel kind either. I was shocked. Actually, it was too surreal a thing to be shocked. She didn’t even go red. I just sat there confused. Its just not right…
So maybe whats said its true, and I agree - it’s a shame there aren’t many gentlemen left - from a gentlemans perspective, maybe there are fewer and fewer ladies about as well…
3 years ago • 0 notes