I attended Communication Camp back in 2002 for Red Cross and they asked in one session, what do you want to be doing in five years. People all around me wanted to be screenwriters or work in ad agencies (and these were paid, not volunteer ARC staff) but I said I saw myself here, at the ARC. I am sure some eyes rolled at that but it’s true. I’ve been in the nonprofit PR industry for more than 10 years and seven of those years have been at Red Cross. I wouldn’t trade this for the world.

Begin eye roll now…

What you describe as lacking is not chivalry, but “common courtesy.” I define that as the minimum courtesy one affords anyone interacted with whether you know them or not.

We Southerners, at least those of my advanced age, fortunately had a high standard of common courtesy instilled in us from childhood. Unfortunately, I have found that standard varies widely with the region of the country.

Like most societal problems, the root of the common courtesy problem is the “raising.” It is mostly a learned behavior, so be sure to teach your son to be a Southern gentlemen.

Love your chauffeur comeback. ;o)

I’ll open your door any day.

No one taught me. It’s just courtesy.

I didn’t realize it was in such demand.

Making the decision to have a child – it’s momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.
- Elizabeth Stone