Today on my way home I bore witness to an amazing event on a southbound 47 bus:
The bus is packed as it usually is during rush hour. I'm standing in the back, and just in front of me to my left, a young man of about 16-17 years of age is sitting. A middle-aged woman was squeezed in a couple of feet in front of me and forced to stand. Their exchange went as follows:
Young Man: "Ma'am, would you like to sit?"
Middle-Aged Woman: "No, it's okay, I'm off in a few minutes anyway."
YM (standing up and gesturing towards the seat): "It's fine. Please sit."
MAW (smiling brightly): "Thank you, sweetie."
In a world where we groan and mumble about kids not having any respect and looking/acting foolishly (I admit that I snickered at the young man's backwards cap and harem sweatpants), it was wonderful to see a young person exude such good manners. His parents clearly raised him right and should be proud.
Just as importantly, the middle-aged woman had the good sense to reward the young man's kindness with a smile and a genuine "thank you, sweetie." Can you imagine what the world would be like if we all acted like this all the time? Men like me who are very concerned with dressing like gentlemen (i.e. men like me who have nothing better to do) sometimes forget that acting like gentlemen is what really matters. The clothing is simply an extension of that.
Chivalry's not dead until we let it die, everyone. Great weekends all around.
The bus is packed as it usually is during rush hour. I'm standing in the back, and just in front of me to my left, a young man of about 16-17 years of age is sitting. A middle-aged woman was squeezed in a couple of feet in front of me and forced to stand. Their exchange went as follows:
Young Man: "Ma'am, would you like to sit?"
Middle-Aged Woman: "No, it's okay, I'm off in a few minutes anyway."
YM (standing up and gesturing towards the seat): "It's fine. Please sit."
MAW (smiling brightly): "Thank you, sweetie."
In a world where we groan and mumble about kids not having any respect and looking/acting foolishly (I admit that I snickered at the young man's backwards cap and harem sweatpants), it was wonderful to see a young person exude such good manners. His parents clearly raised him right and should be proud.
Just as importantly, the middle-aged woman had the good sense to reward the young man's kindness with a smile and a genuine "thank you, sweetie." Can you imagine what the world would be like if we all acted like this all the time? Men like me who are very concerned with dressing like gentlemen (i.e. men like me who have nothing better to do) sometimes forget that acting like gentlemen is what really matters. The clothing is simply an extension of that.
Chivalry's not dead until we let it die, everyone. Great weekends all around.
Sounds like there is still some hope for basic civility and politeness.
ReplyDeleteBest Regards,
Heinz-Ulrich von B.
This made me happy to read! So many men let doors shut in my face, or worse yet, wait for me to open them, that I do wonder where the gentlemen have gone sometimes. Although I suppose those scenarios are better than when they attempt to walk straight through me on the sidewalk. I'm short, but I'm pretty sure I'm not invisible.
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