Chivalry is
dead. Well it seemed that way today anyway. I was returning to my office from
taking my lunch this afternoon and as I walked into the foyer of my office I
felt a presence behind me - so I instinctively held open the door. A very nasty
American woman then launched into me. She was vitriolic. I can't recall her
exact words but it was something to the effect of, "Don't you think I can open the goddam door for myself? Do I look
incapacitated?"
I was shocked
and aghast and her hostile and accusatory comments came completely out of left
field. I was stunned and appalled at the same time and I did not know what to
say or how to respond. I think that I just stood there with my mouth open.
The term
"out of left field" means completely unexpected. Ironically it is
American slang. It is believed to have its origins from the game of baseball
which is a ridiculous sport where players hit a ball with a stick and then run
around a diamond shaped series of 'bases'. I don't know or care how the term
relates to this game but people commonly use it in the same context that I have
used it.
I shall try
and avoid the use of the term in the future.
The word
"chivalry" is beautifully French and medieval. It is derived from the
French word "chevalerie" which means "horse soldiery" and it
is associated with the times of the Knights of the Middle Ages. The Knights of
the Middle Ages had a very noble code of conduct. The Code of Conduct of these
Knights was to act with great honor and to protect the vulnerable people in
their society - such as widows and children and the poor.
Knights
actually took a vow to conduct themselves with great dignity and courtesy and
respect. They were kind and compassionate and merciful and they were brave
beyond belief. Knights were religious warriors and even though they wore armor
and fought great battles they would not hesitate to leap from their mounts to
open doors for women. It would have been expected of them. Knights had excellent
manners and they despised poor behavior.
They were
chivalrous.
The most
famous Knights are of course the ones of the Round Table. These were the Knight
from the times of the legendary King Arthur who quested for the Holy Grail. I
used to love reading this story when I was little and I could imagine myself
astride a great white steed slaying dragons and fighting infidel. I could
envisage myself saving damsels in distress. They were times when people used
terms like "thee" and "thou" and "come hither".
Damsels is a
most excellent word too and it also is French in origin and is from the medieval
era. "Dameisele" is old French for a "woman of noble
birth". I must say that I really do have a thing for the French accent - spoken
by women - not men. My Scottish work colleague Jo Bo is married to a French
dude and she speaks the language fluently. I find it disturbingly arousing to
hear her speaking French on the phone in the office.
Her gorgeous
kids go to the French school here in Singapore and Jo Bo occasionally yabbers
away to the school in French. It drives me crazy. In a most desirous way. She
waves her hands about a bit and pouts when she speaks French and I loiter
around just to listen to her. I actively encourage her to speak French as much
as I can however she is onto my ploy and mostly refuses.
C'est la vie.
The American
woman who was so rude to me today was I think a modern day suffragette.
Interestingly and quite coincidently the term suffragette is also French medieval
in it's origins. The word 'suffrage" loosely translates to "lend
support" or "right to vote".
The
Suffragette movement is particularly associated with the actions that were taken
by women in Great Britain and the United States in the late part of the
nineteenth century. The Suffragettes collectively campaigned for women's
entitlement to vote and to be regarded on an equal footing with men. It was the
birth of the Women's liberation movement - which by the way, I fully support.
Women have as much right to do everything that we men do and I think that they
are often more sensible and logical and practical than the majority of we
males. They certainly mature more quickly than we do.
I think if
more women were in positions of political power we would likely have less wars
and social unrest - although this particular American woman who I encountered
today would likely be as prepared to invade countries and blow things up as her
male American counterparts. She was obviously raised very poorly as well and she
has very little awareness of good manners or honorable behavior. She would
never have qualified to be a Knight or a Damsel but she would have made an
excellent dragon.
She certainly
breathed a great deal of fire.
If I happen to
encounter her again I may in fact slay her with my sword umbrella.
She was a
nasty piece of work.
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