Writer says he refuses to give his seat to women because they do not do the same

'Guys pay for the train ticket as much as women do'

A male writer has claimed he will no longer give up his seat on public transportation to women now that feminism has made the rules of chivalry “confusing”.

Appearing on Good Morning Britain, journalist and writer Nirpal Dhaliwal, 45, said that a recent viral tweet in which a woman criticised a man for helping her with her luggage made him question the point of chivalry.

The tweet in question, from writer Caroline Rothstein, described a man pulling her luggage out of the overhead bin on an aeroplane, and her stepping in to tell him “no, thank you,” which she said was a “calculated act of resistance”.

In response to the backlash, Dhaliwal questioned why he should give up his seat to women.

“Firstly, if a woman is able-bodied, why should I? I mean you know, guys pay for the train ticket as much as women do,” Dhaliwal said. “They have a long day at work, they’re knackered, and if she’s physically able, why should I give up my seat for her?”

According to Dhaliwal, the “urge to be nice is there” but situations where “guys are getting their heads bitten off or getting an earful just for helping” is “confusing for guys”.

The writer further defended his point after fellow guest Noreen Khan said she would still be happy to accept help from men despite being a feminist, insisting that it should be a two-way street.

“A woman has never given up her seat for me, that’s even when I’ve had a football injury and I’ve been limping down the carriage,” he said. “I’ve never had a woman pull out a chair for me, open a door for me, nothing.”

But, according to Khan, chivalry and feminism can “co-exist”.

On social media, many people pointed out that politeness is not the same as chivalry, and should not be considered as such.

“I don’t think politeness should be confused with chivalry,” one woman wrote. “I’ve offered to help men and women alike with luggage on the stairs.”

Another said: “Forget the word chivalry, it’s simply an act of kindness and courtesy - irrespective of the age, race or gender of either person involved.

“Hardly offensive and should be welcomed, rather than resisted surely?”

Dhaliwal did say, however, that he would give up his seat if a woman was pregnant, had a health problem, or a physical problem.