Misplaced Chivalry

Is chivalry meaningless in today’s world? If so, who is to blame??

This happened to me when I was in college. One of my good friends, Patil and I decided to attend a cultural fest to be held in another college. Sashi (another friend of mine), told us that Miss Marple (who happened to be Sashi’s school friend) was also attending the same fest. Miss Marple was a stranger to both Patil and me. Nevertheless, on Sashi’s request we decided to meet up with her.

Miss Marple turned out to be a squirmy little creature who took an instant liking to Patil(perhaps because he works out in the gym and I am a crouch potato! ). She decided to completely ignore me and allowed me to merge with the background. It was a two way conversation between Patil and Marple, but I was happy to be left alone.

Miss Marple then suggested having lunch in a restaurant, which according to her was the best in town. Its surprising how girls seem to magically know the most expensive restaurants! We ended up in the restaurant (Patil had dragged me along).

Everything was overpriced. Roti was no longer called roti and all vegetables seemed to have a fancy name on the menu. Marple seemed to be at home in this restaurant. She even ordered an expensive dessert with a fancy French name which looked suspiciously like plain chocolate ice cream. The bill arrived. Both Patil and I took out our wallets, waiting for her to pay her share (we were after all students on a tight budget). We indicated to her indirectly that we were running short of cash. No use. Her handbag lay forgotten. Women rights activists who fight for social and economic equality seem to have conveniently forgotten to mention equality while paying a restaurant bill. I found myself paying for some random girl who treats me like a piece of furniture (was it chivalry, politeness or mere stupidity?).

We left the restaurant and plans were made about dinner (Didn’t Marple just have lunch?). Patil agreed to have dinner with her. I refused. At about 10 pm, Patil returned and I asked him about the dinner. “We talked” was all he could say. I asked him innocently if he had paid the bill. Apparently he had. They had exchanged e mail ids and telephone numbers. Was this a beginning of a Bollyhood like love story?

Quite the opposite! His mails and calls were completely ignored and she was never heard of again.

Maybe Marple and I will bump into each other some day, and when we do I am sure that I will be walking rapidly at a uniform speed of 5 kmph in the opposite direction.

Its wrong to expect or assume chivalry. Earning it is a better way to go about it!