It is sort of an odd anecdote for a story about lost chivalry. In the olden days when men treated women with respect there was no rule about giving way to gals coming to belly up to the bar. They weren’t allowed into the bar.
I have to admit, I don’t recall a man ever offering me his bar stool, mostly because I don’t frequent bars. I don’t think I’ve ever gone into one unescorted. Of course, I was under the legal drinking age when I got married. :)