I have been enlightened today. Most days when I work at the library I follow people into the building, no one holding the door, glancing my way, or even acknowledging me.
Today I wore a dress and things seemed to be different.
Patrons held the door open for me. The guy who walked in front of me made me laugh. He didn't notice me at first, but when he opened the door he caught my reflection. I was at the uncomfortable distance. The one where you question wither or not to hold the door because you will be standing there for a while, and they will want to speed up/jog to get there to make it a quick exchange. But he fumbled and stood there waiting. On the way into the second set of doors he opened it and stood back letting me walk through. I thanked him and walked the opposite direction to end our uncomfortable exchange.
A second interaction occurred at Sam's Club. On my way inside I had someone get a cart for me. No questions asked. On the way out someone else took my cart to the cart return, so I didn't have to return it myself.
So I have come to the conclusion: "Chivalry isn't dead ... it's just confused."
