Chivalry is Not Dead

I had the most amazing lunch date today… I know what you all are all thinking… I’m supposed to start a new hobby… Well, old habits die hard. Especially when it’s a tall, dark and handsome man.

He was a true gentleman. Totally chivalrous. He waited for me outside, not inside. He opened my doors. Waited for me to order first and let me eat as many fries as I wanted. He laughed at all my funnies (which sometimes are ridiculous). He listened when I spoke and kept eye contact. Not a minute of the hour was wasted.

By far the best lunch date I’ve had in a while. And we are having lunch again on Sunday.

Did I mention my date was my 24 year old son? (Gotcha!)

I taught my son when he was younger that women are to be treasured and respected. And that a man should act as a man and well… man up! I would say I did a pretty damn good job because his fiancé would agree that while imperfect, he is a good man.

I also taught this to the hundred or more young boys who I had the privilege of spending hours with every Sunday morning during Sunday School for 13 years.

But there was always a catch. While the boys were taught to be gentlemen, the young girls had a lesson of their own. They were taught to let them. Let them be gentlemen. Let them open your doors. And their role as ladies… always say thank you while making eye contact, and mean it. To appreciate when respect is given. To not fight it, but to embrace it.

I hope they still do that… I know I do. So much so that just a few weeks ago, while walking into a restaurant for dinner with a close male companion of mine, he jokingly said to me as I waited patiently at the door, ‘You’re such a brat. You don’t open your own doors or pay for your own food.’ I could not help but laugh because it is so true.

I am a brat. But I am a treasured and respected brat. And for that, I will not apologize. I will merely say, as I said to him that evening and to my son this afternoon at lunch, ‘Thank you’, and mean it.