KiruvWife –
And if the door was unlocked and they reached the drivers side first, would you say it is equally mentchlich for her to open the door for him?
Or (better yet) if they reached a building door, should she hold it open for him, alts mentchlichkeit? (Afterall, he is required to go in first and not behind her.)
If you say in the affirmative to these, I might be able to hear where you are coming from. Otherwise, clearly the reasoning is chivalry and not mentchlichkeit.