Wednesday, January 2, 2008

The Greatest Generation

My dad passed away in April of 2005. He was of The Greatest Generation (TGG), a World War II Veteran. Of course, we all know that before too long, we will no longer have any TGGs left or witnesses to pass on the oral history of WWII or the Holocaust. But those aren’t the only important/valuable qualities that will die with this age group. I’m talking about a very important characteristic of my dad’s generation, and that is a little thing called CHIVALRY!

We take these things for granted now, because there are still little old men in the grocery store to say, “Merry Christmas, My Dear” to you, those who will still hold a door open for you, or let you go ahead of them at a check-out counter. I observed at least two gentlemen at 7 o’clock the other morning walk into the restaurant, remove their hats and say “Good Morning” (or at least nod) to each and every one of us on their way to the back table, where they were meeting for coffee. The reason my mom sings out, “There’s a gentleman in the house!” every time a man opens a door for her is that that’s what gentlemen do and because such men are becoming more and more rare. Thanks to the radical feminists of this world, many men are afraid to do perform chivalrous tasks, and some men don’t even know how!

No one ever asked my opinion when they started sending the message that women wanted to open their own office building doors, or car doors, or pickle jars! On the contrary, I love it when my husband does those things for me. (Okay, he hasn’t opened the car door for me in 20 years, but the rest of the stuff does happen.) I love it when he changes the windshield wipers on my car for me (“Just cuz”). I’m sorry, but I don’t want to change my own oil, or shovel the snow, or mow the lawn. Let the men have their jobs!

Yes, I encourage Mr4444 to keep up the modernization of the man’s role in a relationship (he does laundry, cooks often, and does more than his share of parenting), but I’m here to say he is living proof that chivalry does not need to die with TGG. Women, unite! Teach your sons to take the baton from TGG and bring back chivalry on a grand scale! Encourage them to take their caps off in restaurants, open doors for everyone, and help you put your coat on once in a while.

Of course, this would be easier if their fathers modeled it for them. How about it, Dads?! Don’t let chivalry die with The Greatest Generation. Turn Generation X into Generation X-tra, as in Extra Mile. I know many women who will love you for it.

6 comments:

  1. AMEN!!! I think I will make Scotty read this when he gets home! Which he does plenty as far as holding doors and opening pickle jars, or the new coca~cola bottles (because my fat fingers are incapable of gripping their new skinny lids) its just I get tired of telling him what a stud he is for doing it! Just Kidding! I love your blog!! Sorry you crossed paths with yet another ARP, they seem to be everywhere these days!

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  2. Hey Mrs 4444.
    Returning the compliment.
    There are real men out here - just on the correct side of The Pond - that's all!
    Supposed to out on the bike training hard, but Man-Flu is doing the rounds so I'm not 100% right now.
    Cheers for now.
    Tim

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  3. Tim, glad to hear chivalry is alive on your end of the pond :) HOpe you feel better soon!

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  4. I have never mowed a lawn in my life. My dad said that was a man's job and my husband now says the same thing (okay, I am the one that says it, but he goes along with it). I don't take out the trash or work on the car either. I totally agree with you that the true gentleman is a dying breed. I hate that. I don't have a son, but if I did, I'd insist that he learn proper manners. Great post!

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  5. Dad left his mark on me. I am proud to say I always open the door for my wife when we get home. I unlock the door, open it and step back outside to let her in first all the time. I also opened the car door for her just the other day. Admittingly though I do not do it very often. Thanks for the reminder and tell Mr4444 to get with the program:)
    About taking your hat off. Many fail to properly remove hats for the national anthem and the flag in a parade. Those are just a few of the things that earned them the greatest generation title. Great post!

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  6. Amen, Sistah!! Well said. My dad always held my coat and held the door for me and such. Thankfully he taught my brother to do the same.

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