Lissie you are right about chivary. Someone offered me his seat on the subway recently and I nearly fell over. Needless to say he was from Eastern Euorpe [and very good looking, though sadly 20 years my junior - you have to draw the line somewhere!]
I hear what you are saying, but ... why is saying to the person you pledged 'til death do us part, "I need you and want you more", more difficult than choosing to betray them.
This is what it all comes down to for me...
We as a society now have farted up notions of what is difficult.