Posted on 04/13/2006 11:55:44 AM PDT by ReleaseTheHounds
Imagine a luxury liner sinking into artic waters with too few lifeboats for its passengers. Who would get those seats?
When the Titanic sank on April 15, 1912, the answer was obvious: women and children had first priority. Why was this? Certainly, the male passengers could have over-powered most of the women and saved their own lives. What kept them from doing so?
Chivalry. The idea that part of being a man (and certainly part of being a gentleman) is to sacrifice willingly to protect those who are more vulnerable. Of course, all those aboard the Titanic were equally vulnerable to the near freezing water. The men who gave their seats in the lifeboats gave their lives. Out of all of the Titanic's passengers, 74 percent of women lived while 80 percent of the men died.
Christina Hoff Sommers began her review of Harvey Mansfield's new book Manliness by reminding readers of the memorial erected by women in 1931 to honor those men on the Titanic. The memorial's inscription reads: "To the brave men who perished in the wreck of the Titanic. . . . They gave their lives that women and children might be saved." As Sommers suggests, this overlooked memorial is a fitting symbol of the state of chivalry or even of manliness today:
"...almost no one remembers those men. Women no longer bring flowers to the statue on April 15 to honor their chivalry. The idea of male gallantry makes many women nervous, suggesting (as it does) that women require special protection. It implies the sexes are objectively different. It tells us that some things are best left to men. Gallantry is a virtue that dare not speak its name."
(Excerpt) Read more at nationalreview.com ...
It is too bad, isn't it? I certainly agree that it's upsetting to realize one has passed the peak of one's physical beauty. Being quite nearsighted, I once thought for two years that the sun was lightening some of the strands of my hair. Then one day I happended to look into a mirror with my glasses on and got a terrible shock. I took to my bed with a box of Kleenex and a pint of chocolate-chip ice cream (calories don't count when you're crying).
Thank you. Such civility is still common down South.
LOL!
All you dear men who keep chivalry alive..bless you. There are still plenty of us ol' gals who love being a woman and appreciate the gestures and manners and will reward you all with our brightest, sweetest smile, slight nod of the head, and a thank you.
There is something about a southern gentleman saying 'Yes, Ma'am' that just melts my bones. Especially if it is a Texan. Call me old fashioned.
My father was the personification of manliness, chivalry, and the manly virtues. Come to think of it--so is my son.
Perhaps there are those women who truly do appreciate these things. If there are, I've not seen many. I will never cease my quiet courtesies, and should a woman snap at me for them ,as has often been the case, I will continue all the more stridently to remain chivalrous.
I am not a big, burly man by any stretch, but I know common courtesy when I see it. It's saddening to see lovely women who stand by the men they are with even when those men treat them like chattle. These women eat it up and I have NO idea why.
Is chivalry dead? No. Do nice guys finish last? In my experience, yes. In my specific history, always. Regardless it is who I am and who I shall remain come what may.
Once in New York City - in Chinatown - I saw a Policewoman, hands full with cups of coffee, heading for her patrol car. I was right there, so, naturally, I opened the door for her. She looked at me - shock and suprise in her face. She knew instantly: I was a tourist.
I personally don't think a man should have to give up his seat to an able-bodied woman, but I can't imagine anyone getting put out by a display of courtesy. And it goes without saying that everyone should give up a seat for the elderly or infirm.
In this day and age women want to be men fine....don't give up your seat because we would not wish to offend
I think that's more of a regional thing than an indication that people are ruder in NY, since even very well-mannered people up here don't use "ma'am." We still sometimes use "sir," but only when speaking to people like police officers.
I'm a woman who has lived in New York City for thirty years and people get suspicious because I say please and thank you. They figure I'm either mentally challenged or a con artist. City people can be provincial, too. Don't let them change you.
LOL! That's really the only proper response.
http://www.sociallyinept.com/TheTrueOriginsofChivalry.htm
And Isidor Straus, chairman of Macy's, whose wife Ida wouldn't leave him to get on a lifeboat, and went down with him and the ship.
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