Is Chivalry Really Dead?

Kenelm Henry Digby gives us the following definition: "Chivalry is only a name for that general spirit or state of mind which disposes men to heroic actions, and keeps them conversant with all that is beautiful and sublime in the intellectual and moral world."

Yeah, OK.  That's too over my head.  When I use the word, I mainly think of men treating those around them with courtesy and respect.  I say "men" because that's who we normally think of when we use the word chivalry.

I was raised to say "ma'am" and "sir."  I still do it, even to people younger than me (those are getting more numerous every day.)  I say, "thank you" and "please."  I hold a door for anyone and I give a chair to a woman or someone older than me.

Now I'm not tootin' my own horn because I'm not the only one that does that...many of my contemporaries do.  I am noticing, however, that our younger generations are slacking off in the "politeness" area.  I can tell when a kid has been raised right by the way he treats adults.  And I'm not afraid to call one on their behavior.

One of the things that make the South wonderful to me is the graciousness, charm.....and manners....of it's inhabitants.  We lose that....we lose "my South."  I mean, heck, lots of us are polite to people we can't stand!  Where else do you see that?

For better or worse, our traditions and manners have made us what we are....and I, for one, don't intend to change.