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Chivalry Lost & Found
by Ali Ashton
aashton@armadamag.com

Dates. No, not the date month and year, but actual dates where two people go out to dinner a most commonly finish with a movie. Ahh, the days when a girl could get butterflies while tearing frantically through her closet trying to piece together an ensemble that will only receive comments like, “Wow, you look beautiful!” 

Ahh, the doorbell rings and your heart skips a beat! Questions like “Is my lipstick on, is my hair perfect?” whiz through a girl’s mind. The date arrives with the proverbial flowers and wine in hands to enjoy a nice pre-dinner toast. Then the horse drawn carriage sweeps the couple away (or a nice ride with plenty of horsepower, either will do!), to a nice candlelit dinner and the whole nine yards. The moonlight brightens a path along a riverbed setting a perfect scene for the first kiss. 

Ok, maybe this sounds a little too much like a movie, but that’s just it! Dating and chivalry have completely vanished from today’s society. All my girlfriends believe chivalry is non-existent, misplaced, forlorn, totally abandoned and left for the buzzards. The word should not even be listed in the modern day dictionary, because guys don’t know how to use the word nonetheless know what the word signifies.

Let’s expound on Webster’s view…

Chivalrous adj. 1. gallant, courteous, etc. like an ideal knight, or chivalry.

Chivalry n. the qualities of an ideal knight as courage, honor.

Where is the honor of a guy whose way of asking you out is inviting you out to a bar…with his friends…every time? Sounds fun, but will there ever be a real one-on-one date? From what my friends have told me of their experience, “fat chance on a date.” In my eyes, this is the type of guy who is stuck in college, which is fine if one’s aspirations include funneling beer and sleeping at the frat house for eternity. 

Where is the courage? Ask a lady out to a nice dinner (whether friends or not) to enjoy delectable fine dining that Atlanta has to offer and variations of different cultures. Satiate your pallet and quench fine wines and spirits with good company.

Does anyone pull out chairs anymore? Stand up when a woman gets up or leaves a room? Lay a coat over a puddle, which I admit is a little outdated considering your Armani coat wouldn’t appreciate the gesture. At least throw the girl over a shoulder and walk her over the standing water, believe me her Jimmy Choo shoes will thank you! I admit I have seen more doors opening for women so there is a bit of progress! 

There needs to be a revival of chivalrous acts. Women need to do their parts as well. Carry a handkerchief and wipe the knight’s sweat after he carries you over that puddle! Either way, it’s a two-way street. Both parties need to devote time and energy to show interest in their partner. All in all, men need to act more like gentlemen in the South. Let’s get back to our heritage and dig up the ways that made the Southern generations historical. Chivalry must make a come back! 

Tomorrow is another day… a perfect day for resurgence of chivalry.

Ali Ashton
aashton@armadamag.com