There are two special characteristics displayed by a man that truly set him apart as a gentleman—he should have a keen awareness of others, and he should demonstrate a sense of protection toward others who are weaker than he is.
A few practical examples of this might be:
- Taking only 1 or 2 slices of pizza at a time and waiting until everyone else has had their fill prior to returning for more.
- Slowing his pace to walk beside his mother, sister or any lady and gesturing for her to enter ahead of him.
- Ensuring that everyone feels welcomed to participate in conversations.
- Speaking up in defense if anyone is insulting another person with negative words or actions.
Let's teach our young men to place others before themselves and to develop a strong sense of self-control that displays consideration for others. It's simple, yet it requires a calm, repetitive voice as well as a positive role model.
Please take a moment to share your experiences of when your husband, son or any man has behaved like a gentleman!
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Robert Edward Healy, III
8:03 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Hard to disagree with these.
Oren Spiegler
5:09 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Excellent! I would add the following tenets:
A gentleman:
Refrains from throwing cigarette butts, fast food containers and contents, or other litter on our roads, highways, streets, and sidewalks;
Removes his hat or cap when dining at any restaurant;
Refrains from expectorating on the sidewalk or in the street;
Carries a handkerchief or tissue with him rather than snorting mucous into his nose;
Refrains from wearing a white undershirt in public as outerwear;
Refrains from wearing blue jeans with so many holes in them as to render the pants shredded;
Refrains from wearing pajamas to go shopping or out to dine;
Does not engage in extensive texting or cell phone conversation while in the company of others, such as for a meal at a restaurant;
Does not ever use his telephone to curse, denigrate, humiliate, or provide intimate details to the individual with whom he is having a conversation within earshot of others;
Refrains from blaring his vehicle’s stereo system loud enough to shake the windows of buildings;
Takes the high road by declining to make obscene gestures to motorists with whom he becomes involved in petty conflicts.
Robert Edward Healy, III
8:19 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Good stuff, Oren.
Duke
9:14 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Oren you forgot - Does not denigrate an elected official such as John Maher who is doing an outstanding job!
Jacquelyn Flesner
9:16 am on Friday, March 1, 2013
Thank you for taking the time to share those additional characteristics with us, Oren!
Ed M
7:07 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Good list Oren.
I would add
Holds doors for others.
Opens the car door for his wife/girlfriend.
Walks on the outside of the sidewalk.
Margaret French
1:17 pm on Sunday, February 24, 2013
Another forgotten one. Does not hit his wife.
Jacquelyn Flesner
11:55 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Thank you for your comments! The list of what makes a True Gentleman could undoubtedly go on and on. May we each be instilling positive, respectful attitudes and encouraging character development in the lives of the young men we infuence!
MSgt. John DeLallo
9:17 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Perhaps one of my favorite scenes from a movie, "Lonesome Dove", when the character of Newt is being beaten by a crusty old cavalry Scout (Dixon), and Woodrow, his father, protector, and advisor (albeit Newt does not carry the father's name) gallops into the fray, and nearly beats the man accosting his son to a pulp. Augustus McCrae finally pulls Woodrow from the beaten man. He, Woodrow, turns to the crowd and apologizes for his actions and says "I hate rude behavior in a man; I won't tolerate it." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snxME3CDtvI Perhaps the Wild West wasn't quite so wild after all. I'm not suggesting beating the life out of every ignorant and rude person, but speaking out against it firmly is the mark of a true gentleman.
Oren Spiegler
12:25 pm on Sunday, April 21, 2013
Recent experiences have caused me to suggest the following additional tenets of gentlemanly behavior:
A gentleman:
- flushes the commode when he is finished using it, even at a sporting event;
- does not attend a sporting event if he is unwilling to adhere to the provision that there is no smoking permitted anywhere inside the facility;
- does not make or receive cell phone calls when sitting within inches of others at a public library;
- does not leave his restaurant party and move to an empty table closer to others in order to engage in multiple personal, profane, and threatening cell phone conversations with his significant other.
Ed M
7:06 am on Monday, April 22, 2013
How about
Holding the chair for your wife/girlfriend.
Letting your wife/girlfriend order 1st at a restaurant.
Helping your wife/girlfriend with her coat.
NE12Ukid
4:54 pm on Sunday, April 21, 2013
Gentlemen! Pull up your PANTS!!!
Jim
8:51 pm on Sunday, April 21, 2013
Just have a drink and forget about it
Dawn Swidorsky
7:14 am on Monday, April 22, 2013
Treats his wife/girlfriend in the manner in which he expects a young man to treat his daughter.