‘Little Deeds of Kindness’ – it Happened in Technopark

TechnoparkToday.com>>  February 24, 2014:  This incident happened while commuting to my workplace in my company cab. The reason it prompted me to write down my thoughts about it on a public space like this, is that the same incident happened many times so as they say pen is mightier than the sword, I thought of doing my bit to convey the message.

I have always been around male friends and colleagues who were at their chivalrous best every time when it comes to treating a lady, be it holding the door open for them or walking to her left at the sidewalk of the road or pulling out the chair or the least being offering their seat to a woman in a public transport.  And mind you! These acts by the men around me were not for just elderly or pregnant or handicapped women, these were regardless of all these factors. It was for “women” in general.  Guess they were just following the famous “old school” custom of offering the seat to a girl.

But recently I felt that chivalry is dead in the modern world.  After being around chivalrous guys throughout my school, college and work places, I recently came across certain men who cheerfully giggled around, seated in their seats when a female colleague was struggling to stand inside the cab travelling through a bumpy road to my work place. Yes I agree it’s we women who keep screaming about gender equality and about men being sexist. It’s totally justified if I get some hundred comments under this post saying “Now where have your feminist thoughts vanished, where you women openly bash us men and talk about being independent and strong?

I also agree that often a gentleman act by a guy is taken as “flirty” and that also might be the reason why chivalry is vanishing these days. But in spite of all these affirmations I still firmly believe that a little chivalry won’t hurt a male ego. It’s not about the weaker or the stronger sex. It is also not about special treatments, it’s just about a little courtesy to treat a woman around you. In turn it restores our belief in the fact that there are compassionate and genuine guys in the world. It’s a reflexive thing guys should opt for and mothers should teach their growing-up sons. At least being an old school, I sincerely respect chivalrous guys and genuinely acknowledge every gentleman act. But sigh! It had been really long since I witnessed a single act of chivalry and hence had to make peace with the fact that
“Yes indeed chivalry is dead these days”.

So as I was walking back home, with my mind still bustling with the morning incident, that’s when a guy came from behind and; “Excuse me Miss, your dupatta” And before I could bend to pull the tip of my dupatta which by the way was almost sweeping the filthy road, when this guy bent down and lifted it and gave it to me. “Thank you” I said and a smile spread across my face;
Thank God chivalry is not entirely dead!!!”

Aparna Nair, Technopark