Some say that chivalry is dead. It’s now just part of a glorious past when men showed high respect for women. We don’t see men anymore giving up their train seat to a woman or opening and/or holding doors for them.

But is it really dead? Or is it just in the throes of passing away? Or maybe we sometimes generalize certain specific instances of what we see in public and that there are actually still many men out there who show respect and courtesy to women?

Be a Gentleman

Whatever the answer is to the last question, you won’t lose anything and will in fact gain everything if you act like a gentleman at all times.

Be a gentleman, even when other men don’t seem to act like one anymore. Be the difference the world needs.

How, though? Read on.

Give Up Your Seat

If you find yourself sitting on a train packed with passengers during rush hour and you see a woman standing, give up your seat for her, especially if it’s an elderly woman (or elderly man). Standing for a few minutes for the convenience of another is not just rewarding, it’s also an honorable deed.

And don’t be selective. Some men may tend to give up their seats only for attractive women. If you want to do a good deed, don’t discriminate.

Hold Doors

In this busy and fast-paced world, sometimes we fail to do little things that can make someone’s day better or easier. Something as seemingly small and insignificant like holding a door for a woman, especially if she’s carrying bags in her arms or pushing a baby stroller, can actually brighten up her day.

Keep doing this even if you don’t get a thank you or even a smile. Doing good is more honorable if you don’t expect to get anything in return.

Pull Out Chairs

If you’re out for a dinner with a woman, whether it’s your wife, your girlfriend, or a female friend or relative, be thoughtful (and quick) enough to pull out her chair for her at your table. And don’t just stop there. Slide back the chair in before you take your own seat.

Simple enough? Sure. But the sad reality is, not a lot of men do this chivalrous act anymore.

Lend a Hand

Whether it’s about helping an old woman cross a street or get on/off a bus, being a gentleman means offering a helping hand to anyone in need. These simple acts of kindness go a long way in terms of making this world a better place to live in.

Dress Appropriately

Showing respect or courtesy to others means dressing up to the occasion. For example, you don’t show up at a board meeting or a job interview wearing rugged clothes with flashy accessories (learn about different types of dress shirts here).

There are many other ways to show your gentlemanly side. The key things to remember are to be respectful, be courteous, lend a helping hand, and just be decent overall.

More often than not, what you give is what you get. So when you show courtesy or respect to others, that’s also what you get.