Guys are such GUYS!

[gurdymonkey]

Last weekend, I heard a bold speech about chivalry and the kind of men who would rush eagerly to battle OR to help a lady carry the smallest burden. Moments later I made it all the way across the list field back to camp with a chair hoisted onto one shoulder, passing a knot of such Heroes who were happily gladhanding each other.  Who needs Harry Potter's cape? I must have super secret Mutant Powers Of Invisibility. I portaged a 5 gallon jerry can, a 5 gallon bucket and a Radio Flyer wagon across two footbridges in full view of two occupied pavilions at Estrella and nobody seemed to see that either.

Last weekend, a gentleman I know indicated he was looking for someone to fight for in Coronet. I asked for time to give his question the consideration it deserved, then emailed him the other night and said, "Sure, why not?" He just got back to me and said he's not going to fight for the coronet after all, at least until his life mellows out a bit. This shows laudable good sense on his part and confirms my gut feeling that yes was the right answer to have given him, but I confess I am feeling more disappointed than relieved, and a lot more disappointed than I expected to be. I've never BEEN anybody's consort, not for a proper tourney. (Sorry, G-bear, but all you ever did was rip my favor on a variety of chair arms and go to a couple of fight practices.  Not the same, not the same at all.)

And to top it all off, instead of concentrating on his poetry, the Bushi From Mutsu has been working on his website, specifically, a forum for the discussion of Sun Tzu's treatise on the art of war.  We did have a friendly IM visit this evening though.

Poo.

Comments

[callistotoni.livejournal.com]

Re: Carrying things.
OK, I had 2 instances where guys I don't know (or don't know well) carried things for me, plus getting help from Leohtulf getting stuff to my car. So I guess I was lucky.

But, I have to say, as I get older this happens less and less. Middle aged women, me included, become invisible. If guys know me from "before" (i.e. when I was young), then I'm visible. But men I meet now ignore me, especially if I'm in the company of women younger than me (which I often am) -- it is as though I am not there at all as far as they are concerned.

Happened several times to me this weekend, and I confess I'm fighting being depressed about this cost of aging. This is part of why I'm turning to my proposed School for the Courtier, 'cause it gives me something fun to focus on.

Sigh.

[kass-rants.livejournal.com]

This sucks. Chivalry isn't about only helping pretty, young girls with their stuff. :rollseyes:

Bryan/Hanse -- Danabren's husband -- has his QOC for a good reason. He helps everyone -- young or old, male or female, pretty or plain. I used to think the award was something they gave out as a cookie to people who were friends of the Crown, but when I met him, I knew different!

He was a heavy fighter and a squire before he hurt his back. A parfait gentile knight, if that's not too cliche. He'll still carry your stuff, even with a bad back.

Good guys exist. Cherish them when you meet them. =)

[ldyanna.livejournal.com]

Ximon and Steffan (both fencers, not heavies or KNIGHTS) are the only men I know who will consistently come up and help me carry things. Every other man walks right by me as I balance my chair, basket, child, etc.

Oh, and Crimson will help others, but he usually isn't around when I'm schlepping my stuff -- figures!

[mamapduck.livejournal.com]

Firewalker is good like that too. But yeah, Staffan and Ximon are the two most likely to bolt across the field and take something out of my arms. Well, and Jehanne. Chivalry doesn't only come from guys.

I did get a fair bit of that from our Northern guests this weekend. Maybe they have a stronger culture of schlepping than we do here.

So... maybe what we do is start practicing this sort of chivalry ourselves. Excuse ourselves from conversations with men to go help ladies. Don't make it pointed, but maybe it will give them pause. Anyone with me?