Twenty-first century knighthood is long gone. No more men in tights or damsels in distress. Our version of the idealized men and women are now clad in business suits with his or her Blackberry in tow, all working towards independent, corporate careers. But along with this gradual transition, we seem to have lost touch with old-age renaissance and the cultivated idea of chivalry.

Chivalry is not dead. That would be society’s weak attempt to discourage the optimists. Our interpretation of this concept may have transformed into something different, pulling us into unfamiliar territory, and to put it simply: we’re all just lost in translation.

We’ve grown accustomed to holding our own doors and bearing our own loads, proving that chivalry is now shrouded with our everyday social norms.

For Sarah Foley, a sophomore advertising major, chivalry isn’t outdated. ‘There’s something comforting about men being gentleman-like,’ Foley said. ‘It is a bit old-fashioned and I certainly don’t expect it, but when a guy is chivalrous, I definitely don’t take it for granted.’

Since the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, the notion of being a feminist has been defined and redefined. Many of us are unsure what is considered chivalrous before we categorize it as being offensive.

Perhaps this has pushed ‘modern’ men to be detached from the essence of chivalry. Being forward and having conversations are now nuisances; 24/7 access to social networking sites enables cyber relationships and texting helps us avoid potential awkward silences that would’ve taken place over the phone, or even better, in person.

‘Men are confused,’ Foley said. ‘Women are giving mixed signals; they don’t want to be a housewife, yet they want to be constantly loved and adored.’

We’ve reached this sort of communication limbo; none of us are willing to clarify what we really expect and have tumbled into a realm of misspoken truths and confusion.

Drew Sullivan, a senior economics major, also believes that chivalry isn’t outdated but probably the context of what it has become has changed.

‘It’s past the point where guys take care of everything,’ Sullivan said. ‘I think chivalry is treating all women with respect, but treating your woman with special respect.’

I certainly don’t doubt that chivalry is still present on the SU campus. I’ve seen it going into classrooms, dining halls and even when I get my daily fix at Starbucks. Many do it out of habit, but for the majority of us it’s a sign of respect and reciprocation on both ends. You can say what you want about chivalry: its cliché, outdated or old-fashioned, but we all know that it’s pleasing when someone asks to help out when you really need it, and the genuine gratitude of thanks they receive when the tasks are accomplished.

Jaclyn Schillinger, a junior public relations major, said that chivalry may sometimes be a regression for feminism, but without it we’d somehow be taking two steps back from a cordial civilized society.

‘It’s all about finding the right balance,’ Schillinger said.

I find chivalry refreshing and endearing. It’s homage to simpler times: when being respectful and ‘nice’ wasn’t intertwined with any political or social agenda. Chivalry is not outdated, but perhaps our definition of it has changed between both genders. For men, it’s a matter of taking initiative, and for women it’s essential that we realize a little appreciation goes a long way.

Angela Hu is a sophomore public relations major. Her columns appear weekly, and she can be reached at ajhu@syr.edu.

Published on October 12, 2009 at 12:00 pm