Quote: Then if they have been profoundly unkind or disrespectful and say they didn't mean it, it was just a heat of the moment thing? Don't believe it. If it isn't in your head it can't come out of your mouth. Respectful and chivalrous men don't have that junk in their heads, to begin with.
I have to counter argue this. Though am in agreement about the rest of the post.
What we have to keep in mind here is that emotions can and will get the better of people. If you're going to lecture people as if they have to be perfect (eg not have junk at all) in the first place then I'm pointing out I'm sure you've had your moments yourself. You're not a mind reader. How do you know what's going on in peoples heads? It can be "all good" or "All bad" or "both at once". And people do think both at once at times. Doesn't mean they can't be respectful and focus on nice things. That said, don't ignore anything bad either. Genially speaking.
Basically, you can't just magically not think about the junk if it's there (concerns. Which you will have given people yourself most likely). But that doesn't mean holding grudges and letting it get in the way of having a good time here and now. If people have "junk" then there's a reason for it. A source for the concerns. Which could be from you. Or not.
It's highly unlikely that people with concerns which require long talks are going to just magically "Not think about the junk". But you can still have a nice dinner and do fun things before having a talk. Being seen as if you have to be perfect is the reverse of chivalry. It's expecting too much. A truly chivalrous person understands flaws and doesn't expect perfection. Which is why you have those stories about knights helping peasants at times.
When people say they didn't mean it this could be an excuse. Or it could mean "I was emotional and lashed out". It depends on the context. Which I do not believe you considered when you typed what you did earlier. Due to the blank carpet statement of how it has to be black and white. Or just black, if you will.
I will say I have more trust for someone that can admit what they did. I also say no one's perfect and that we all do things without meaning too. Therefor when someone says "I didn't mean too" what's the context behind that statement? This is why I always ask why and find the reasons. Even if people say they meant to do something. They might have hurt someone without meaning too (which is more dangerous. That's a BIGGER concern). Or they might have meant to do what they do.
In short, focus on the reasons behind the actions regardless of wherever it was intended or not. And you'll find out if it's what someone really wanted to do or if they acted on impulse/ignorance. Both can be as dangerous as the other. That's where the danger lies.