According to a common definition, chivalry is “the combination of qualities expected of an ideal knight, especially courage, honor, courtesy, justice, and a readiness to help the weak.”
The word is usually associated with the medieval institution of knighthood when knights’ and gentlewomen’s behaviors were governed by chivalrous social codes.” Today, however, we understand chivalry as a courtesy and gentleness to women.
Little acts do wonders: from waiting for a woman to sit before a man does, to help her with a coat to let her go through a door first. Having said that it’s subject to debate whether chivalry is still relevant today in a world where we put gender equality before other things.
So while you think about where you stand in this discussion (and share your thoughts below!) scroll down for Bored Panda’s list of pics showing chivalrous men in action.
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A Couple Of Months Ago, An Elderly Lady Asked Me To Walk Her Home Because She Was Scared She Was Going To Slip On The Ice. Now I Walk Her Home Almost Every Day
The Good Son
Props To That Guy
Chivalry refers to the medieval knights' code of honor that references a range of male behaviors. According to Texas A&M literary historian Jennifer Wollock, in the middle ages, European literature featured knights and kings as protectors of women.
For example, In Geoffrey of Monmouth’s “History of the Kings of Britain” of 1138, King Arthur kills the rapist giant of Mont-Saint-Michel. A few decades later, the French poet Chrétien de Troyes portrays Sir Lancelot casting aside reputation, glory and treasured warhorses to save the kidnapped Queen Guinevere. Wollock argues that “such popular tales of chivalry pressured aristocrats to adopt the chivalric code – to some extent.”
An Invoice From A Fantastic Gentleman Named James Anderson From The UK, After Fixing An Elderly Lady’s Boiler
6-Year-Old Boy Protected His Little Sister From Dog Attack. He Stated, "If Anyone Has To Die, It's Me. I'm The Big Brother"
On My Flight Back To Georgia I Saw A Man Who Offered To Help This Woman Because She Was Pregnant And Alone On The Flight And Her Son Was Upset And Fussy
He did not complain, he just told her that he was a DAD, and wanted to help her so she could rest. This MAN walked the aisle for most of the flight from Minneapolis to Atlanta comforting this woman's son as if he was his own... I was in tears... Not because he was white and she was black... But because it showed me today that there are still GOOD people out there in a world full of turmoil. Big UPS to this DAD and all the DADS out there... You are the real MVPS!
In the 14th and 15th centuries, English writers like Geoffrey Chaucer and Sir Thomas Malory depicted the court of King Arthur as a bastion of justice for women, well beyond the norms of that day, Wollock argues. As knights intervened to protect civilians, western chivalry became a force of its own kind.
In today’s world, however, our society is very much in dispute over the value of chivalry. It’s because chivalry demands that maltreatment of women be crushed, whereas feminism calls for equal rights between women and men, by which logic, both feminism and chivalry mean the same thing: respect.
However, some people are not truly comfortable with chivalrous gestures as they believe that it’s not the same as respect. Skeptics see chivalry at odds with feminism, and argue it’s no longer relevant.
Both A Kind Gesture And A Flex. Best Of Both Worlds
Very Kind Professor
He's A Keeper
In modern Western cultures, chivalry can be seen in men offering a range of special courtesies to women. This includes paying on dates, carrying heavy objects, pulling out chairs, opening doors, and allowing women to go first, even when the man was there first.
Beatrice Alba, a lecturer at Deakin University, argues that despite being generally seen as polite and even romantic, these acts of chivalry – where men are excessively courteous to women simply because they are women – have a dark side.
“Psychologists refer to the paternalistic attitudes underlying these behaviors as benevolent sexism. Benevolent sexism involves the belief that men should cherish and protect women, and ‘put them on a pedestal.’ This is because women are viewed as being more morally pure, weaker, and in need of protection,” Alba explained.
After A Woman Was Taken To The Hospital With Hypoglycemia, Two Policemen Stayed To Prepare Dinner For The Five Kids Who Were Still In The House And Did The Dishes
This Kind Bus Driver Stopped His Bus, Which Was Full Of Passengers, To Comfort A Bullied Girl He Saw Crying On The Side Of The Road
This Lovely Gentleman Came In Today To Learn How To Curl His Wife’s Hair. His Wife Is Unable To Curl Her Own Hair And Often Burns Herself
So he stepped up to the plate and learned how to curl her hair. We had the pleasure of teaching him! We taught him how to do volume curls on short hair, how to protect her skin from being burned and we even taught him to put on her mascara.
It’s also important to note that research has found people higher on these attitudes also tend to be higher on hostile sexism, Alba argues. “Hostile sexism involves overtly negative and suspicious views of women – this is what people generally think about when they think of sexism.”
Benevolent sexism reinforces traditional gender roles about how women and men should relate to one another, and chivalrous acts may be understood as a manifestation of them. “It’s the same old problem that who we are or what we want should be predetermined by our sex rather than our own preferences and personalities,” Alba explained.
This Amazing Gentleman, Every Valentine's Day, Brings All The Widows From The Nursing, Retirement Home And Treats Them To Lunch, Gifts, And A Rose For Each
When Being A Gentleman Is On Automatic Mode
Dude looks like actor Alexandre Ludwig. He’s about the same size too.
This Would Be A Man That Loves Going To Work And Does Not Dread It The Night Before
Upon entering the Magic Kingdom, one of the security guards said to the girl "Excuse me, princess, can I have your autograph". I could see that the book was filled with children's scribbles as the guard asked the same question of many little Princesses. The little girl could not get over the fact that the guard thought she was a real princess".
Both benevolent and hostile sexism are intertwined with systematic sexism, which, when put in this context, makes chivalry extremely problematic. Bored Panda reached out to Nicole Froio, a feminist writer who researches masculinity, sexual violence and the media.
Froio explained that systematic sexism is a term that refers to a “system of discrimination that targets women specifically for being women. So, for example, if a woman isn't promoted because her boss is afraid she will get pregnant and take time off, that's sexism.”
A Lot Of People Got To Hear John Williams Conduct A Program Of His Music On Wednesday Night. One Who Didn't Was A Security Guard. So Seth Low Gave Her An Mini-Concert
He's A Keeper
Lithuanian Police Tradition To Pull Over Every Female Driver On International Women’s Day And Give Them Flowers
And while there's been a lot of work done towards building a world with better equality in terms of gender and minorities, Froio argues that there will be a long way to go as long as we keep doing things the same exact way.
“If we all committed to a better, more equitable world, this wouldn't be an issue, but it's difficult to do that. So yes, there's a long, long way to go,” she added.
When thinking of a more equitable world where equal rights are among the most valuable aspects of a strong and well-developed society, it’s interesting to think how chivalrous acts may (or may not) intervene with it. The answers may not be straightforward ones, and yet it’s the act of discussing these issues that matters.
So Sweet
Not to mention so many photos get taken when someone first holds a baby. That lad has his head screwed on.
She May Be In The Hospital, But He Made Sure They Celebrated 57 Years Together
I Got A Flat & Although My BF Was On The Phone Trying To Help, I Was Struggling To Loosen The Lug Nuts. Then These Guys Came Up
They spoke limited English but gestured toward the tire. They put my spare on & I was back on the road in no time. I thanked them & tried to offer them $ to no avail.
Been there done that lol, got to work late and covered in black sut from the brake pads, again not só much chivalry more like respecting and helping others.
Lowe's Ran Out Of Generators, And A Complete Stranger Gave His Generator To A Woman Whose Father Is Living On Oxygen. People Helping People. I Love My State
This Punk Helping A Woman Carry Heavy Stuff In Berlins Subway
This Man Offered To Hold Woman's Baby While She Filled Out Paperwork At The Doctor's Office
NFL Player Pushes Woman In A Wheelchair Through The Airport When No Staff Showed Up To Help Her
Good Samaritan Carries Elderly Woman Struggling To Use Stairs
Y'all I have to brag about my husband big time tonight! He made me soo proud. As we were sitting in our seats waiting for the rodeo to start I noticed an elderly lady (pictured below) her grown daughter and 2 young granddaughters trying to come down the stairs. The elderly lady was having a rough time. I pointed them out to my husband and said they may need help. Not only did he help get her to her seat, but she did not have the strength to come back up the stairs. So, he carried her!
The Woman Pushing The Car Is Blind. The Man Right Next To Her Repeats Every Single Thing He Sees - What’s On Sale, The Brands And Styles
I heard her say while choosing bath towels “ Please get me two white ones, I love the color white”... let us cherish the small gift that is eyesight!
This Little Lady Has Been Asking Her Husband To Push Her Around So She Can Catch Pokémon While They Wait To Board Their Flight
He keeps checking in and cheering her on to see if they got one. Find someone who loves you like this.
A Young Man Sheltering An Old Lady From Hail While Crossing The Road. Tbilisi, Georgia
My Girlfriend Lost Her Purse With Her Passport And A Lot Of Money In It. This Dude Found It, Contacted Her, And Got It Back To Her With Everything Still In It
I once lost my wallet, someone picked it up and searched inside for some way to contact me. He ended up phoning my aunt, who is listed as next of kin on my organ donor card. I got my wallet back with everything still inside.
Every Day For One Week, Lifeguards Would Meet Ms. Dottie And Her Family To Help Assist Her Down To Her Beach Chairs. At The Days End, They Escort Her Back To The Condo
I Got A Flat Tire In An Unfamiliar Area, These Men Stopped And Offered To Help. They Ended Up Doing All The Work And Wouldn’t Accept Money When I Offered
Bonus: my lil man in the car keeping me safe from strangers.
A Train Driver Helping A Passenger
Chivalry Still Exists
Saudi Police Officers Handing Out Roses To Women Drivers (Today Is The First Day They Can Drive Legally)
Young Man Comes In Alone, Sees The Older Lady Eating By Herself, Asks To Join Her. Instant Friends. This Is What Is Right In The World
I could imagine all the stories she has to tell. We can learn so much from our elders! Man my grandma can be annoying, but I love all of her fun kindergarten teaching stories, or stories from her childhood.
Real Chivalry
One driving test route in my city go almost entirely through a quiet residental area. The residents there have a very good tradition of stopping for any cars with the driving test sign on display.
Just Landed NYC. People Across Aisle Didn't Know Each Other. She Was Flying For First Time And Was Terrified. He Talked Her Through It And Held Her Hand. Just People Being People
My Neighbor Knows I'm At Home With A 2-Year-Old While My Husband Is At Work. He Kindly Removed Snow, Cleared Our Walkways, And Salted The Driveway
An Elderly Woman’s Door Was Ripped Off Its Hinges In An Attempted Break In. Constable Boswell Put His Tradie Skills To Work And Repaired Her Broken Door
My Great-Uncle Visits His Wife Every Day Because She's In An Assisted Living Facility As She Has Alzheimer's. He Can't Go In Right Now For Safety Reasons
The Firefighters That Helped Deliver Our Baby In Our Driveway Last Week Just Dropped Off Flowers
This Dude That Gave His Girl His Shoes Cause Her Feet Hurt Just Set The Bar Way Too High
Dude Saw A Little Old Lady Was Having Trouble Bagging Some Stuff So He Stopped And Held Her Bag Open For Her
Small act but man did it make my day... And yes I absolutely took a pic of 2 complete strangers.
You can see this every time you go to the store, just so nice and what a real effect it has on others.
This Gate Agent Offered To Help An Exhausted Mother Travelling Alone Calm Down Her Crying Infant
Isn't That Just Love?
Wholesome Hair Husband
Jack Purchased Seats In The Upper-Class Cabin For A Flight Home. When He Got Onboard, Jack Found Violet In The Economy Class And Swapped Seats With Her
This Guy Kept His Hand In This Position For More Than 45 Minutes So His Daughter Could Sleep Well
On My Flight Today We Hit Some Really Bad Turbulence Over The Atlantic. Pilot Comes On & Says, "Flight Attendants Please Take Your Jump Seats"
As the turbulence picks up, in the seat in front of me, a gentleman reaches his hand across the aisle so the woman he was flying with could hold on.
Is This What Being In Love Is?
So I broke my hand in the most stupid way anyone could break their hand.
I was helping Cody, my boyfriend, move a bookshelf. We were too lazy to take everything off. I grabbed it wrong and it fell on my right hand. Since I am in the military, I have to keep my hair within standards. However trying to make a ponytail, then a bun with one hand is pretty much impossible. Cody, my boyfriend, was such a great sport helping me out. He did pretty freaking great for not having any experience!!
Cody has been nothing but amazing. He has helped me shower, dressed me, done most chores around the apartment, tucks me into bed, cuddles me on bad days while I cry my eyes out and now he does my hair (he even learned to braid it)
I thought I had been in love before but after seeing how he has lifted me up and helped me out, the other men I thought I loved are not half the man Cody is.
We have only been dating for 8 months and we haven't said I love you to each other but I think this is what love feels like. It's such a strange feeling and difficult to describe. Now I understand the definition of "when you know, you know".
that is obviously such a beautiful and supportive couple. My best wishes!
Today, I Helped This Lady With Her Luggage Up The Subway Stairs And Was Rewarded With Two Bananas, One For Each Set Of Stairs
I live in Asia, the number of random old ladies in rural areas offering me candies and fruits are very high.
After Suffering From Depression And Not Being Able To Get Out Of Bed For The Last 3 Days, My Boyfriend's Silly Determination To Get Me Out Of The House
And take me out for a nice meal made me smile!
that's so sweet, and means a lot. I only hope for this kind of love one day
A Prime Example Of How A True Gentleman Responds To Rejection
Pizza Guy Involved In Car Crash, Police Finish Pizza Delivery
So, Not The Best Husband In The World
This was at 6.30 AM at the bakery this morning. I was convinced I was going to be first and alone. Thought I was the best husband in the world getting up at 6 on a Sunday to get fresh croissants for Mother's day breakfast. Apparently, others put in even more effort.
Looks like that small flowershop in our neighbourhood. Sadly now closed... but on mother's day they would stay open 48 hours... so if at 3 am you came home from your night shift, you could grab a nice bouquet.
Chivalry Will Never Die
Friend's Sister Lost Her Car Key While Jogging, Someone Else Made Sure She Found It
A Police Officer Changing Someone's Tire In -20 C (-4 F). Let's Give Some Love To Our Boys In Blue
A Gentleman
This Random Guy Towed Us For Like An Hour After Our Battery Failed In The Middle Of The Lake
He then refused any kind of payment and only requested that we would do the same thing if someone else needed our help someday.
Maybe this is some kind of cycle. Someone towed his boat and told him to do the same, because someone did the same for that person and so on. Now you’ve got to find someone who needs to be towed back to shore so you can continue the cycle. I put way too much thought into this lol
Husband Celebrates 67th Anniversary Outside Wife’s Nursing Home
I honestly think the forced separations were/are traumatising. I would go hellbend, if I was not allowed near my (possibly dying) husband, if he was in the hospital. That would by MY risk to take, not decided by others. It would be furious, not at healthcare staff, but at the situation. Let me sign a waiver, and let me near him.
The Fire Department Was Responding To A Medical Emergency In My Apartment Complex. After That, They Took Time To Help My Elderly Father, And I Move Our Items Into The Truck
Ohio Sheriff's Deputy Taking The Time To Walk With An Elderly Woman, To Help Her Get Where She Was Going
This Lady Fell And These Gentleman Came To Help Her Up Until Her Friend Could Come And Pick Her Up
One of them was driving by and immediately parked his car and ran over to help her.
This Beautiful Girl Was Scared During Takeoff & Asked If She Could Hold This Stranger’s Hand. Man: “Of Course! It’s Going To Be Ok”
He kept her calm & distracted by asking about her family. People are good.
I'm very scared of planes and airports. I could only wish for someone to be so kind to me
Little Boy Couldn't See The Christmas Parade At Disney World Over The Crowd And This Kind Stranger Offered To Lift Him Up So He Could See
A Woman With Multiple Sclerosis Couldn't Make It To Her Tent At An Event. So Two Chattanooga Police Officers Helped Her Out By Carrying Her To The Place
That's So Sweet
I Caught A Glimpse Of A Teenage Girl And Dad In The Car Next To Me While I Was Crying
When I came back after eating the frozen yogurt, their car was gone but this was in my door handle.
This is really nice. I've spent a lot of time crying in my car and the best i usually hope for is that nobody thinks I'm crazy 😅
I Got Robbed At Coachella, My Phone, Credit Card, & Keys Were Taken. The Next Day I Was Left In A City Alone With No Way To Ask For Help
A hotel got me an uber & the driver ended his shift to stay with me all day. He helped me file a police report & we ended up getting margs.
Indianapolis Officer Being A Gentleman
Depends on the officer, most in the beach Grove area, are nice enough that you can even call if you get locked out of your car. Just outside of beech Grove though, once I ran out of gas ( i had been struggling with money the week before and let it get way too low) i was on my way to the gas station. It was in sight but where i stopped the traffic was too busy for me to even get out of my car and walk . An officer pulled up asked what the problem was do I explained I was trying to get to the gas station there and was going to walk when the traffic slowed down. He told me that he was going to come back around in an hour and if I left my car he'd have it towed for being abandoned. Then drove off.
My Mom Bought Individual Eyelash Extensions And The Glue For Them And Now My Dad Has Been Sitting There Gluing Each Eyelash On My Mom
And listening to her music for over an hour. If that ain’t love, then I don’t know what is.
My Roommate Spends Hours Sometimes Finding The Perfect Flowers To Make Bouquets For His Girlfriend. Chivalry Still Exists
And They Say Chivalry Is Dead
I'm wondering did somebody else write the word honk on the bottom left.
One Of Our Very Own Movers Becomes A Viral Sensation With His Act Of Kindness While Stuck On An Elevator. Chivalry Lives
Every Friday, This Man Brings His Disabled Wife To The Nail Salon. He Spends 20 Minutes Helping Her Get In And Out Of The Car And Spends At Least 2 Hours In The Salon
Damn what is she doing to her nails that they need to be done every day?
My 97-Year-Old Grandma Doesn't Cook Anymore, So I Make Her Sweet Treats, Jams, Tarts, And Breakfast In Bed Almost Every Day
This Guy Hoped Out Of The Van To Help Old Woman Across The Street
My Tire Blew Up While On The Highway. This Man Pulled Over On The Side Of The Road And Spent The Next 40 Minutes Helping Me Replace My Tire
Helping An Elderly Woman Cross The Street. This Is Such A Kind And Sweet Moment Captured
Military Gentleman Help Change A Tire For A Lady With A Small Baby
We Couldn’t Get Our Baby To Stop Crying At The Restaurant. So The Couple Next To Us Offered To Hold Him. Our Baby Slept On This Kind Strangers Shoulder The Entire Evening
Maybe it's the cynic in me, but I read this as "I allowed my child to disrupt a whole restaurant and did nothing about it, so a stranger had to parent for me"
A Few Days Ago, I Tried Dutch Braiding My Own Hair And Kept Getting Frustrated Because I Couldn’t See/Reach
Last night, my boyfriend began watching videos to learn how to braid my hair.
My Boyfriend Spent 12 Hours A Day By My Side Post Hip Surgery For A Week In The Hospital. This Is What True Love Look Like
Today's My Birthday. I Went Out To A Unifair For School And Some Guy Told Me I Was Pretty And Paid For My Coffee
Then, when I was walking to the bus some guy gave me flowers. They don't know me but it made my day.
That is nice and she clearly is okay... But I would be kind of creeped if some random guy told me I was pretty and paid for my coffee...
My Truck Wouldn’t Start, And Jumping Didn’t Help Either. This Kind Gentleman Turned Out To Be A Mechanic, And Got It Started
This Lady Had Climbed A Mountain At Night And Gotten Lost. My Dad And Brother Guided Her Back To The Rangers Station And Made Sure She Got Home Safely
Why would anyone think it a good idea to climb a mountain at night? Or am I missing something here?
Man Helps Elderly Lady Cross A Street In Vancouver's Lower Income East Side
A Random Couple At The Store Came To My Rescue To Help Me Get Flip Flops From The Very Top
I hate how tall shelves can be! like most people can't reach up there -_-
I Took This Picture At 3 Am On The Bus. I Thought This Guy Was A Real Gentleman
Just covering up a rude comment, nothing to see here. Carry on and good on this man
That's Cute
that is very sweet. i don’t know what they were waiting for, but i hope it turned out to be good ❤️
My Brother Helped Get His Girl's Cat Out Of A Tree
Fort Myers Officer Helping A Woman Secure Her Car Seat In A Cab. Solid Guy
Our Donut Blew, Had A Tire In The Backseat But No Jack. This Awesome Guy Had A Jack And Was Kind Enough To Put It On
This Employee Helping A Lady Carry Her Food To Her Car In The Rain, Then Going Back Inside Without The Umbrella
After Looking For A Spot For 30 Minutes And Being Late To My Class, This Man Walking His Dog Offered His Driveway
After overhearing me asking someone if they were walking to their car. Thank you, stranger, you made my day!
Even the simplest act of kindness can leave a lasting impression on the people involved. Love this.
Recology Worker Helps An Elderly Woman Cross The Street With Her Groceries
These Bros Helping Out A Woman That Almost Lost The Gift From Her Boyfriend
Evacuation Drill In The Rain. Chivalry Is Alive And Well
You always hope you raised a gentleman and then they go and prove you in fact raised them right. Good job young man.
Who Says Chivalry Is Dead? Dude Pulled Out An Umbrella And Made Sure His Whole Family Got Underneath It
These are lovely stories, but to me, it's not chivalry, it's people being kind to others.
I remove the snow and or ice from my partners car, clear the windows and get it demisted and warmed up for when they head to work in the early hours. But I do think there are loads of us out there that do the same thing because we worry about them and also care. Those little gesture etc may not seem much but without them we are poorer as a society, the littlest of things can make the biggest of differences.
These are lovely stories, but to me, it's not chivalry, it's people being kind to others.
I remove the snow and or ice from my partners car, clear the windows and get it demisted and warmed up for when they head to work in the early hours. But I do think there are loads of us out there that do the same thing because we worry about them and also care. Those little gesture etc may not seem much but without them we are poorer as a society, the littlest of things can make the biggest of differences.