Why do we often have such discussions on CHIVALRY?? How often have you ladies touted someone as a MCP [read: Male Chauvinist Pig] Why is it such a big deal when a woman rises to power and wins accolades??
I am not a feminist, but insensitivity shown by men towards their counterparts is something i just cannot stand!! It affects me in unexplainable ways ..
It is imperative to point out here that chivalry is a word not just connected to men but very applies to women as well. It is a myth that needs to be uncovered. For our gang at MPBIM, the word CHIVALRY is BIG and may be that’s one of the reasons I chose this as the first topic fro my blog...
So what’s the buzz all about anyway???
Once a darling friend of mine coined this term ‘HE-VALRY’. Amused, I asked him what it meant.. Pat came the reply- ‘Good manners shown to men by men.’ lol... Man,needless to say, it got me thinking…!!
What could have probably gone in the head of the person who actually invented the term CHIVALRY?? Did he/she draw inference from the pronunciation SHE-VALRY??? Ha ha… It does make some sense, the word- HE-VALRY.. !
The damsel in distress is knotted and neck deep in danger... Her only hope for survival is the prince, her knight in shining armor who will cross ocean, climb mountains and arrive to take her out of the mess she has landed herself in.. And drum roll, please here he comes, gallivanting his way to the abode of his lady.. He lifts her up over his shoulder, and props her onto the horse. He slays the demons and the happy couple are whisked away into the glimmering night sky.Nowhere in this fairytale did the princess say, "I can get onto the horse myself, thank you very much," nor did the knight say "Hey baby, let's go back to my place and have some fun."
This fairytale analogy isn't intended to be nostalgic, it's meant to point out the difference between the old-fashioned days of chivalry, and how it has evolved today. Today’s movies are no different… We are just so goddamn used to seeing the hero perform all the stunts, claim his love from rooftops, be the care provider and carry out myriad errands… While the female is still portrayed as the sheltered one even if she is fully capable of handling herself in all ways…
In the name of Chivalry, is chauvinism creeping in somewhere along the picture… You bet it does.....
Chivalry is a plain and simple act of being kind and courteous?? Overdoing it amounts to chauvinism...
Irrespective of the sex, I believe that each and every person needs to be chivalrous or he-valrous or she-valrous as the case may be..lol.. :)
Is that wrong...?? The upper limit assumes different scales for different people..
So HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?? the million dollar question that we ask ourselves even if it meant just extending kindness is
"IS SHE/HE WORTH IT as in REALLY REALLY WORTH IT?? "
The topic is vast..
Watch this space for more..
