American chivalry (USA)

A Singapore (Chinese) colleague at Conoco (now ConocoPhillips), Jimmy, was sent to our American office for a short training course.

On his first day lunching out with his American colleagues, he was happily tucking into his food when suddenly all his male colleagues stood up.  Jimmy looked up mid-fork to see a woman approaching their table.  It was the American code of behaviour for men which was (and still is) alien to Singapore men.  Jimmy was embarrassed about his (self-perceived) lack of manners, and determined to be more vigilant.

So vigilant was he thereafter that every time he saw, out of the corner of his eye, a woman approaching, he’d immediately stop eating and stand up, but his colleagues would carry on eating.  It would turn out to be only a complete stranger passing by his table.  Poor man never had a moment’s peaceful dining during the rest of his time there.  Something to be said, then, for the supposed lack of chivalry among Singapore men?

(America, 1974/5)