Many of these courtesies are dead metaphors, stripped from their context, and valued out of a sense of quaintness. In itself, I’ve got no problem with that, though if anybody thinks they actually want to be a woman in the societies where these customs were relevant, I think you’d better get yourself a library card.
I like anachronism practiced for its own sake, which is why I dress like an extra from D.O.A. and start sentenses with, “Say, …” and end them with, “…, see?” So, if all you’re trying to do is grab a lot of nifty stuff from the past before it sinks out of memory, I’m with you.
But in my opinion, most guys trying out this chivalry' bit are phoney. I'm embarrassed for a guy whenever I hear him start in on the Gee-golly, I sure like to put women up on a pedastal’ routine. Do women fall for this gag anymore? Some do, that’s a cinch, even when they know it’s just a line. And why not? If we refused to buy anything because the seller kept trying to sell us something, where would that get us?
I understand, if you really want to do the gentleman schtick, whether you’re sincere or not, you need to know how actual women feel about it, and that’s what this thread and all the other door-holding threads are about. That’s the charitable interpretation. But keep in mind the less charitable interpretation – that these threads are posted by gallant posers trolling for female attention. The less you talk it up, the less phony you’ll sound. Just decide how you’re going to be, and live it.
You see how hats keep coming up? Why not get a hat? Everybody likes wide-brimmed fedoras, and elbow-length gloves, but nobody wears them. Instead of going out of your way to open doors and pull up seats, which are almost too much, just get a hat, and tip it. Also, get yourself a silk hankerchief, and put it in your hankie pocket. You can keep a little white cotton one in a side pocket for your own boogers. The silk one is for her boogers. Or tears.
