ST, Aug 19, 2006
Why he has stopped being chivalrous
IT IS no secret that much has been said about Singapore men lacking
in chivalry. It is also no secret as to which gender the accusers
belong.
I agree that some men are indeed lacking in chivalry. To a certain
extent, this would include yours truly.
I am 37 years of age and was, in my earlier years, full of this
so-called 'chivalry'. I had believed very strongly in this quality
and had no bias regarding the age, race, nationality and gender of
those shown this 'chivalry'.
Sadly, that was in the past.
This quality in me has 'died'. After years of giving up my seats to
those in need (mostly the old and pregnant women); holding doors
open for folks passing through after me (mostly women); helping to
retrieve articles for people who had dropped them (again, mostly
women), I regret to say that only a handful of these people whom I
had shown such basic courtesy had smiled and said 'Thank you!'
(mostly men).
Most of the women simply walked away either as if nothing had
happened or with a facial expression that seemed to imply I had
done or said something rude to them.
All I had done was something most would describe as either
chivalrous or courteous.
Well, I certainly know why I hesitate to be chivalrous to the
'fairer sex' these days.
Alex Tan Li Er 
