Hmmm. Yeah, you've got a point. That's why I prefer Emma's Mr. Knightley, who was the soul of consideration and chided the protagonist for an unthinking act of cruelty.

I guess the male slide into bullying is nothing new. But codes of gentlemanly conduct--which specified not causing pain to anyone if it could be avoided--also go way back. I was fortunate enough to grow up around men who took pride in acting civilized.