modern chivalry

In the blog of a medieval history professor, I took up reading a vein about the development of chivalry, and how it is still alive today in certain situations in western culture and in other forms in different cultures around the world.
Chivalry began as a sort of military code that would guide soldiers when fighting against one another in armed combat. It was not until later, (possibly the 12th century? I was not exactly sure) that chivalry began to influence the courtly actions of noblemen and noble-ladies throughout western Europe. This gentility, characterized by a certain reverence and respect towards women by noblemen, has taken many forms. We have discussed some the characterizations in class, and I was wondering if there was any shred of chivalry in the institution of polygamy?
But modern chivalry is embodied by the cultural expectations of the interactions between men and women today. The blog employed a quotation about the meaning of the tipping of a hat by a man to a woman in which he was symbolically saying to her that in case she were to be offended or in danger, he would do everything in his power to help and protect her from harm, that although he was "physically stronger, he promised to treat her with respect and dignity".
It would seem like the definition of chivalry has changed still further beyond this modern interaction simply because this whole situation struck me as very patronizing. I do not know if chivalry is dead, but I would definitely say that it is in the middle of a transition period from which it will emerge different than it has ever been before.