Interesting post.
To me a gentleman is one who has a sense of savoire faire. He fits into the situation unless doing so would require him to act like a fool. That might cover everything from attire to food being eaten. It all depends. Above all, being respectful is essential.
Anything more is fluff.
Well, my father taught me the basics of being a gentleman.
First, your word is your bond. It is never to be violated. You, if you're dealing with a gentleman, never need a lawyer to write a contract. Anything he says can be relied upon.
A gentleman always treats a woman as a lady. Even if her actions bring that into question.
I remain sufficiently old fashioned that I still open doors for ladies; give up my seat on public transportation for ladies and the elderly; hold the chair for my lady when out together, and sometimes when having a romantic dinner at home; and always position myself lower than her on stairways and escalators. I think that last one has really been forgotten - a gentleman should place himself between a lady and a potential fall down a flight of stairs, etc.
well you get the picture.
any guy who comes home drunk on a friday night and doesn't beat the living shit out of me because i refuse to have anal sex with him qualifies as a true gentleman in my book.
You can’t truly call yourself peaceful unless you are capable of violence. If you’re not capable of violence, you’re not peaceful. You’re harmless.
For me personally, a modern day "gentleman" is discerning, empathetic, humble and kind. He is tactful, but open and honest. He isn't afraid to admit mistakes, but learns from them constructively. He speaks positively to people, and accepts them graciously, no matter what they look like, or what their history.
He does not have his head stuck up his own bottom, or have to declare himself to be certain things, or put effort into making people think he looks good. A real gentleman shows what kind of person he is through his words and actions. There are very few of them about, and the small handful I have met are married. Damn it.
Ut incepit fidelis, sic permanet.
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The notion of "the gentleman" is steeped in class structure and social elitism. Success and privilege allowed men to be gentlemen but they certainly didn't get that success by being gentlemen.
Poems like Kipling's "If" and Henley's "Invictus" give an indication of the measure of a man as does the book "Self Help" by Samuel Smiles - a text book for social climbing in the Victorian era. These brought the idea that if you act like a gentleman you could be one.
Acting like a gentleman is like any other form of courtship - it's a display mechanism - peacocking. Here I am, I'm educated, well-dressed, charming and successful - I will make a perfect mate. And women are suckers for it, every time. We don't have the benefit of wearing push-up bras and heels (most of us, any way) so we have to make do by giving you believable compliments and looking like we're interested in what you're saying.
A real gentleman will make you feel like it was your idea when he dumps you.
Warning: The opinions above are those of an anonymous individual on the internet. They are opinions, unless they're facts. They may be ill-informed, out of touch with reality or just plain stupid. They may contain traces of irony. If reading these opinions causes you to be become outraged or you start displaying the symptoms of outrage, stop reading them immediately. If symptoms persist, consult a psychiatrist.
Why not read some stories instead
NEW! Want a quick read for your coffee break? Why not try this... Flash Erotica: Scrubber The number one trait of a gentleman is respect. If he has that, all the other things come naturally- and if he doesn't, he can never be a true gentleman
You must give up the life that you had planned, in order to live the life that is waiting for you..
Just keeping drinking, pardner, if that's where you find your wit and courage
