I don’t know about you, but I get a weird feeling when I hear the word “chivalry.” It’s thrown around when we talk about the Antebellum South or chick flicks like Pride and Prejudice, but most people don’t know how chivalry is to be integrated into 21st Century America. I mean really, do people actually expect us guys to, you know, hold doors and stuff?

Respect for women has seen an ironic downfall as they have gained equality. American history has always had a sideline battle of the sexes with women slowly recovering from the losing side, fighting for equality and individuality. And now that they have reached said equality and are at the high point in the evolution of the American woman, they have attained an all time low in their relationship with the American man. Not that it’s completely their fault. But the rocklike struggle and aggressive nature that has taken over women has landed in the puddle of harmonious male/female relationships not without causing ripples and unforeseen repercussions.

That being said, men are just as responsible for the lack of chivalry today, if not more so. Somewhere down the line, men stopped treating ladies like, well, ladies. There are some cultural changes that need to be taken into account. I don’t think it’s expected that men monitor and micromanage women like they are a piece of property, but I do think that men should take it upon themselves to care for women. It’s just a fact of nature that females are the more fragile and sensitive beings, and men as caretakers should provide above and beyond for them

If you’re a guy reading this, and you’re anything like me, you could use some help in dealing with the ladies. There’s several practical ways to practice chivalry. For instance, don’t ever. EVER. Let a woman pay for you. I work fast food and whenever I see a guy half-heartedly check his left pocket and then look helplessly at the woman at his side, I just want to punch him in the face. And trust me, so does she.

Hold doors. It’s a simple gesture that will maybe take six seconds away from you arriving at your destination, but will score tons of points with the lady who was lucky enough to pass through the doorway without needing to exert any unnecessary effort.

And then there’s all the cliche jacket etiquette. Yes, you should offer her your coat if it’s cold, but don’t overdo it. Putting your jacket in a puddle for her to walk across will only result in two things: her rightly thinking that you are desperate, and you carrying around a wet jacket for the rest of the night.

Side note: chivalry is to be practiced among all women. NOT just your girlfriend. Don’t hold the door only for said significant other only to let it fall in the faces of the three elderly women behind her.