Back From the Dead: 7 Acts Of Modern Chivalry

Tends to your post-sex needs

Look—it is not easy for a man to focus on much right after a romp in the sack and a good…release. His head is spinning. He is exhausted. If a man hops out of bed, looks for extra pillows for you, gets you water, maybe even a snack, that is a sign of chivalry. He was fighting his bodily need to be knocked out to help make you more comfortable.

He cares for your friends too

Does he speak up if your friend’s drink was made incorrectly? Does he slip her cab driver some money? Does he swoop in and save her from sleazy men hitting on her or disrespecting her? A lot of these things you may never even see unless you pay attention. He might not stand closest to the street all the time, but he does have you and your girls’ backs.

Anticipates issues

We often don’t realize when a man has gone out of his way to make things easier for us, and that was his plan. But, look around. Did you meet him at a super busy restaurant that doesn’t accept reservations, yet somehow he has a table? He most likely got there earlier or called ahead to make sure that you didn’t have to sit and wait for a table. Are you somehow not having to wait in line for a busy club? He may have shelled out a pretty penny to make that happen. Hey, even the smallest gestures are nice.

Sends you home with the leftovers

Oops! Did he somehow forget the four stuffed boxes of delicious (and expensive) leftovers on your kitchen table after your nightcap? That probably wasn’t an accident. He wants you to enjoy those!

Drops you off, then parks

Does he drop you off in front of the restaurant and say, “Can you put us on the list for a table?” He probably wasn’t worried about getting a head start on that table. He just wanted to distract you from the fact that he was going to have to park super far away and walk quite a distance, and he didn’t want you to have to the same–whether in your heels or in flats. He thought he would save you the trouble.

Notices your diet

What sorts of restaurants does he take you to? Do they somehow have plenty of options that fit your diet, and at the same time, does he seem completely enthusiastic about the place? That’s his way of making it seem like it was no big deal to go somewhere you’d like, rather than somewhere he’d like (like a barbecue joint or the bar). But think about his eating habits—does he really like vegan that much? You may realize he makes low-key compromises for you all the time.

Lets you know when he’ll be MIA

Does he send you texts like, “Hey I’m about to go into a four hour meeting where we can’t have our phones on,” or “Hey I’m getting a new phone today, may not be available for a while”? That’s a sign of consideration. He doesn’t want you to deal with the anxiety of, “Why isn’t he calling me?!” and start freaking out. Yep, some men are still trying, even when they’re not doing the absolute most.

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