Chivalry can start young, although in different forms than one might expect. According to Margie Galvin, a kindergarten teacher atCountrysideElementary School, the differences between the ways girls and boys show affection in her classroom can be striking. “Sometimes, especially boys act really silly and sneak little pictures into the girls’ cubbies or lockers. Or they’ll poke or pinch or bump into them on purpose,” Mrs. Galvin described. She went on to describe the opposite sex. “The girls will just sometimes go and say ‘I love you!’ I had one girl who said to a boy ‘I like you so you should kiss me.’”
As Valentine’s Day draws near, Zephyrus decided to take a better look at that funny little thing we call love. To do this, we decided to focus in and examine the age old practice of chivalry.
What exactly is chivalry? Junior Jake Meyers described it as “rugged masculinity taking care of a beautiful woman.” Sophomore Malik Ebbini said chivalry is “doing something nice for people who are smaller than you, just like how knights worked for peasants.”
So does it even still exist? When asked if boys at EHS are chivalrous, chemistry teacher Chad Nyberg joked, “Based on their behavior in class, I’d say no.”
However, not all hope is lost. Jake Meyers said he still opens doors for women and junior Will Burke claimed, “I give everyone flowers.”
Additionally, when math teacher Dori Sternberg was asked if guys at EHS should be more chivalrous, she replied, “Not necessarily. They just need to be respectful and polite.” She went on to say, “To me, chivalry is going above and beyond. Other than Jeff Student going above and beyond every single day to ask me how I am, I don’t really see it. I do see a lot of general politeness. A lot of kids say thank you every single day when they walk out the door.”
So where did this sense of chivalry begin? We investigated the elementary schools to interview a few ofEdina’s finest gentlemen.Jackson, a kindergartner in Mrs. Galvin’s classroom at Countryside, emphasized the importance of holding open the door for girls. His friend Patrick agreed, stressing that it is important to do this because “girls are more fragile.”
Furthermore, if a guy likes someone, the chivalrous thing to do would be to “say hello and give her something she likes,” according to Patrick. Carter, another student in Mrs. Galvin’s classroom, said “You should give them dates and presents and rings.”
Not quite serious enough for the ring, guys? Take a few tips from your fellow female classmates. Sophomore Sydney Paugh wishes that guys “would be more polite – like open doors, help girls pick up things if they drop them, and give more compliments.” Senior Lauren Sjolander agreed, suggesting that it would be nice if guys sent “good morning texts.”
Just remember, every girl likes to be wooed by a guy. “Kiss me on the lips,” remarked Normandale kindergartner Selah. Too forward? Fear not, the way to a girl’s heart can also be a little less, um, direct. “I want them to throw the garbage out for me,” said Countryside kindergartner Carmen.
So whether it’s Selah’s route or Carmen’s, just remember that it’s the simple actions that count in being a gentleman. Oh, and giving presents and rings doesn’t hurt either.
