Confused about chivalry

I'm a feminist.  I don't need a man to do things for me just because he's a man.  We all need help sometimes, but it isn't gender specific.

But then, sometimes, I find myself getting annoyed when a traditional, chivalrous gesture doesn't happen - and I've noticed that the seemingly small one that always gets stuck in my craw does seem to have a generational difference.

What is it?  Letting women off the elevator first.

Silly, right?  I know.  It shouldn't matter in the slightest who gets off the elevator first.  In fact, the person nearest the door should get out first, logically (or if they're elderly - I tend to let older people off the elevator first, holding the door open for them).

But if I'm in the elevator with some male students and we're about the same distance from the door, I'm always taken aback when they push past me to get out first.  Is it just rude or does it strike that old idea of mine that women should be allowed off first?  If the men in the elevator are older than me, I've noticed that they tend to extend an arm in a "you first" gesture.

Is it an age thing?  A fading chivalry?  Why do I care?  All I know is that it irks me but it feels like it goes against what I believe.  What do we do with these ideas?

So, yeah, for this Friday I just have some muddled thoughts.  Stay tuned for some light weekend posts and then... THEN... next week?  Next week I might just share something huge.  Just maybe.

Stick around. :)

Comments

[Tara SG]

I don't know if you're interested in doing online reading challenges, but this sounds like something you might like :)

http://womenunbound.wordpress.com

[Matty]

It might be just that, a generational thing. I'm 52 and I was taught that as a guy, you do certain things for women. Opening a door, helping them with a chair, offering your seat in a public area, letting them off first, helping them up or down, and so on. It was ingrained in me, and it's what I've done my whole life. It's just habit.