manners monday: etiquette rules for men.

Is chivarly dead??

Whatever happened to the days of men opening doors for ladies? paying for meals? pushing chairs in? standing up when a lady entered or left a room? courting?

Last week, I was chatting with my Bible study (a group that I co-lead of high school junior girls. I simply adore these young ladies!) and we stumbled into a conversation about manners/etiquette/boys/chivalry/etc. I was astounded at some of the things they said. How they really do not like it when a guy opens the door for them. How they don't like it when a guy pays for meals. Seriously?

And then it got me thinking...is chivarly completely dead? Buried 6-feet under with no chance of reincarnating itself?

Please say no. Pretty please? With sugar on top? (and maybe a cherry too?)

And then it made me sad. That these 16 and 17 year old girls are having to deal with boys who don't know how to properly treat a lady--so much so that when a boy does do what he should be doing (i.e. opening doors, paying for food, etc.), these chickies are so put off by it, they are offended.

What is wrong with our culture?

I know for a fact that chivalry isn't dead...just super sick and on life-support. Especially here in the Mid-West (or "the North" as my Rodeo-Cowboy Uncle tells me). But if you venture south....man, those boys know how to treat a lady. Doors being opened left and right. Drinks always being refilled.

So this is what inspired me to start a new blogging series every Monday.
Manners Monday, if you will. (and you will, because you're reading it right now).

Ok so here you go--the Top 10 chivalrious acts that men/boys/tweens/guys/whatevs could should do for the women in their life (I totes got this list from here and here):
#1. Whenever dining out, be sure to allow the chick to be seated first.
#2. When sitting at a table (at home or at a restaurant), never ever ever rest your elbows on a table. (loophole: it is acceptable at bars and pubs...or in between courses.)#3. When getting of an elevator, always let the women out first..if its convienant. (This is a Kelby rule. Mainly because it DRIVES ME NUTS when guys get off the elevator first).
#4. Never enter a building with your hat on. And gents...always remove your hat for photographs, when entering someone's house, THE NATIONAL ANTHEM, and in the presence of a women.
#5. Always ask a women if she needs anything. More often than not, she will say no. But it shows that you care about her well-being and shows that she is a priority in the room. Yes, she is absolutely capable of getting whatever she needs herself...but just offer.
#6. Uh, never ever ever touch a women's purse...even if its just to move it out of way. It's rude, inappropriate and did I mention, rude?
#7. Always open doors. Seriously. Do this. Or at least make every effort to do this.
#8. Never, ever, ever laugh at your women if she makes a mistake. And while we're at it...never try to correct her in front of people. This one should go without saying.

#9. When eating with a group of people, always wait until everyone has their food before eating. It's a subtle gesture, but one that I always notice. Everyone should start eating at the same time, and not a moment sooner.
#10. Always help a lady put on her coat/jacket/cape/whatev. It's just a nice gesture.

What am I missing?