No, you're thinking of "Stallantry". Common mistake.

Gallantry helps me distinguish myself from le meathead Chad in the eyes of m'lady. Grills love gallantry.

*hands YHN a fedora*
*mutes thread*

Gallantry is good. It's definitely much better than Goofustry.

*sigh* And here I hoped for an interesting discussion

No, I think it is as much as a problem as poor standards for both sexes. Gallantry is as dead as a clown's smile.

Depends on the circle James.

gal·lant·ry (ˈɡaləntrē/), noun. 1. courageous behavior, especially in battle.

Gallantry is a good thing, especially in battle.

Oh I thought it was along the lines of Chivalry. Yeah if you aint gallant you a twat

2. polite attention or respect given by men to women.

Oh then no they whore snickers

@Cyrus,

" *sigh* And here I hoped for an interesting discussion"

If your conversation isn't getting going, why don't you start it off by taking either side and proposing an interesting argument, rather than complaining?

To be serious, gallantry almost sounds like an old-fashioned word to me. Doesn't mean a person shouldn't try to be polite and civil and not act like a douche all the time. But the days of standing up when a woman leaves the table and putting your jacket over a puddle so a lady can cross the street without dirtying her precious shoes are gone.

I disgree heartily. I think gallantry is a game we play as men and women, in a certain way it's even a flirting thing. Women want equal pay, equal representation, equal rights. Not equal onbnoxious treatment. Gallantry is not contrary to equality at all.

Though, I hasten to say, it's more limited nowadays. If you put a coat over a puddle you'd be rightly ridiculed. Perhaps it's more interesting to discuss where to draw the line. For example, sharing the bill of dinner is an interesting dilemma.

Thank you TMOW! For seriously discussing :)

Anyway, yes. I recently read an article about how people who were gallant, or chivalrous, (whatever you want to call it) by opening doors for ladies, or giving them their coat, or holding an umbrella for them were sexist, and that it was a sign of much deeper animosity. Frankly, I thought it was bull.

Open a door for someone because they're a person and it's a decent thing to do, not because they're a woman and you have some half-baked notions of chivalry.

What is the proper etiquette for when someone holds open a door when you are too far away? Do you run or just keep moving at your current pace as they stand there like an idiot?

Run Abge, Run!

Walk your current pace. Pretty sure it's proper, but even if it isn't, it's pretty funny to see them looking like an idiot. (Opening a door from too far away isn't proper etiquette anyway.)

It's appropriate behavior towards the few women who are ladies. But such social conventions are two-way streets.

"But such social conventions are two-way streets."

I know, right? Wear a burkha and men will treat you like you're a lady. Take it off and men will treat you like you're a whore.

when I was 12 years old and on the way home from school. As the public bus pulled up all the kids tried to get on, but selfishly not allowing the other people to get off - so there was this little old lady trying to get off but she couldn't due to all the kids forcing their way on, so I shouted 'let the old lady off the bus' which she took exception too (I assume the 'old' didn't go down too well) and then she slapped me round the face! Still scarred.

@abge,

Slow down. About four yards away, tie your shoelaces.