Chivalry

[Big D]

Is chivalry alive, dead, or somewhere in between?

What do you think, and why?

Go forth and vote.

Personally, I reckon chivalry is dying, to the point that it's nearly gone. Few people are chivalrous now, and it's simply not appreciated as it once was, either. But that's just my opinion...

[Loony BoB]

First thing to do is look at what chivalry actually is.

In war, the chivalrous knight was brave in battle, loyal to his king and God, and willing to sacrifice himself. Towards his fellow Christians and countrymen, the knight was to be merciful, humble, and courteous. Towards ladies above all, the knight was to be gracious and gentle. The idealized relationship between knight and lady was that of courtly love. - Wikipedia.

I don't know too much about the whole battle thing, but I don't think you're referring to that. I'd say that you're more referring to the merciful, humble and courteous aspects, as well as the gracious and gentle.

I don't think chivalry is dying at all. People seem to think that chivalry was a commonplace thing all over the world at some point, when it never really was. It was upheld by most knights, yes. But during medieval times when chivalry was put in place, the world was awash with 'male chauvanist pigs' often worse than the kinds you'd see in the world today.

As for the other end of it, there are still a lot of guys who show the traits of chivalry. The whole independent woman movement does actually hinder chivalry more than anything, I find - I personally believe that women in the world we live in are more likely to break such 'rules' than men.

I don't think it's dead at all, I don't think it was ever a global affair, and I think that the reason it's not noticed so much these days is because women are far more independent and also because of the old 'dirty laundry' aspect of the world: People notice the bad things, not the good things, regardless of how small the bad things are in comparison to the good.

I'm not saying the world is a beautiful place at all, I'm just saying that people think that the past was all glorious when it really wasn't much worse - if worse at all - than it is today. And yes, there is a lot of good in the world if you take the time to notice it.

[boris no no]

just resting

BoBs been thinking about this too much.......

[Rye]

I think it's resting/almost impossible to find.

[Triple T]

Well, it's not exactly dead or alive... o.O

It's still practiced sometimes in places- like Medival Times or those historic tourist places, maybe. So unless a celebrety uber important practices it and fans start doing it and liking it, it'll become more popular.

But even if it does become more popular, I doubt it'll be used in war. Simply because a sword & shield won't do good against tanks and guns.

So what I'm saying is that it's dead in the military but it's still alive for other people.

EDIT: Courtesy towards women? That's dead...

[Devourment]

Are you on about courtesy towards women or the medieval principles of knighthood?

[Psychotic]

Dead. Because political correctness says so. Oh, but by dead I mean 100% mortality response. Political correctness says so.

[Dr.K]

I'd say it's resting.

[Cz]

People are generally less dependant on one another nowadays, now that you can buy pretty much anything you need down at the mall. Strong communities and neighbourhoods aren't as common anymore, simply because they aren't necessary. Therefore, people aren't as likely to help one another out in everyday life. The same applies to chivalry towards women. Women are more liberated now, and aren't seen as weak or inferior as they once were. Because of their equal standing in today's society, the same level of courtesy is no longer applied. (This isn't necessarily a bad thing though. If women are indeed equal to men, then why should the 'rules' of chivalry favour them?)

So chivalry may be in decline, but I wouldn't go as far to say it is dying. Kindness and courtesy are still common today, just not as obvious. People still hold doors for each other, are polite and gracious, and offer help to those in need on a regular basis. Perhaps it isn't chivalry in the knightly sense of the word, but everyday kindness towards others is still quite widespread, and that's what counts.

[Peegee]

*opens door for woman*
woman: I CAN OPEN MY OWN DOOR, JERK
*woman kicks pg in the shin*

Actually the above will never happen because the last thing I'll ever do is be chivarious. Haha I so used to be too, and nobody appreciated it, but merely said 'aww so sweet'.

Which is chick speak for 'haha'

[Sasquatch]

Actually, I personally aspire for chivalry in most aspects of my life. Here, honestly, I don't care, because I won't meet any of you in real life, and I don't care if I piss you off...I'd rather anger people by talking about things I think they should know about than leave them ignorant.

But as for courtesy, I almost always hold doors for ladies, maybe pull out chairs, watch my language around 'em, stuff like that. Not just romantic interests, but lady friends, women I've never met, etc.

I'd say it's alive, but rare. I try to reflect it--by the way, just because soldiers don't carry swords and shields anymore doesn't mean we can't be chivalrous--but most people don't care about it. And I don't really blame 'em, it hasn't really gotten me anywhere. Sure, ladies think I'm sweet, but it's always a friendship instead of a romance...though that can be credited in part to the younger ladies I've pursued and their immaturity in relationships, but as they get older they start looking for more long-term relationships, and thus the guys that would be better long-term partners.

[Caspian]

Is shielding a girl from the sun on a long walk with a piece of construction paper chivalrous?

I vote yes.

[Shlup]

STUPID FEMINISTS SCREWED IT UP FOR EVERYONE!

[nik0tine]

Is shielding a girl from the sun on a long walk with a piece of construction paper chivalrous?

I vote yes.

I also vote yes.

[Levian]

what. So is this about killing people with lances or about feminism? .. or killing feminism with a lance? I'm quite clueless now.