Since my husband is a medievalist, I asked him for a definition as well: ” the ideal of noble, honorable behavior in the context of knighthood and the medieval courts.”

Why I mention this is that just recently I was the recipient of several acts of chivalry and it caught me unawares. Today on the crowded Sun Tran bus at rush hour, a man gave up his seat to me. I was surprised as usually that doesn’t happen. I graciously accepted and thanked him for the seat, as I wanted to sit down. Maybe I’m just getting old and my salt/pepper hair is a give-a-way.

And yesterday while walking into a fast food restaurant, two men opened two separate doors for me. I would like to think they did it out of chivalry and courteous behavior.

So let me hear from you 21st century women readers. Is this chivalry? Sexism? Do you like to have men open building doors (or car doors) for you or not?

I actually enjoy it, and my husband says he is proud to open doors and walk on the outside of the sidewalk next to me.

And on the way home today a woman bus rider was short 50 cents for her $1.50 fare, and another woman gladly gave her the money. The first woman thanked her a number of times for her kindness. It wasn’t chivalry, but it was still much needed kindness. Otherwise the first woman would have had to get off the bus and get change, and re-board in another 1/2 hour.

Practice chivalry and random/not so random acts of kindness.