"Country Life"s 39 steps to be to be a modern gent.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn...The-39-steps-to-being-a-modern-gentleman.html


Discuss!

No. 7 Possesses at least one well-made dark suit, one tweed suit, and a dinner jacket. Is that all?
No. 9 Turns his mobile phone to silent at dinner. Silent? Does it really have to be on at all whilst eating in company?
No.19 Can undo a bra with one hand. I've never worn a bra.
No.22 Can sail a boat and ride a horse My one attempt at sailing saw me going overboard right beside the buoy that marked the sewer exit.
My one attempt at riding saw me dragged by the stirrup through every cowpat, stinging nettles and quagmire imaginable.
No.25 Cooks an omelette to die for. (At least I can spell omelette, they omitted the first 'E.') To cook an omelette to die for, add salmonella bacteria.
No.28 Knows when to use an emoji. Had to google that.
No.31 Can tie his own bow tie. Easy peasy, No.32 Would not go to Puerto Rico. Why?
No.34 Sandals? No. Never. Not Jesus sandals but the elasticated trainer types are ok.
No.35 Wears a rose, not a carnation. Green fly issues?
No.36 Swats flies and rescues spiders. I'm terrified of spiders.
No.37 Demonstrates that making love is neither a race nor a competition. At my age, I'm just grateful for an erection!
No.38 Never blow dries his hair. There's a rude answer to this. So, Rule 5. Knows when not to speak.
No.39 Knows that there is always an exception to a rule. Amen to that.

I guess it must have been a very slow news day at the Telegraph if the resorted to reporting this tripe. Silly, ephemeral checklist for the sort of person who holds the door for a lady because they want to call themselves gentlemen rather than because its the polite thing to do.

What an odd list! Yes Edward, I agree, it's amazing that some men feel that they earn the title of 'gentleman' just by simply being polite. Also, since when did being a gentleman mean knowing what an emoji is? Yes, must have been a frighteningly slow news day!

Edward said:

I guess it must have been a very slow news day at the Telegraph if the resorted to reporting this tripe. Silly, ephemeral checklist for the sort of person who holds the door for a lady because they want to call themselves gentlemen rather than because its the polite thing to do.

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Only marginally related observation: it seems to me that "lists" in news, "10 best cities for...," "five top issues on...," etc., have become meaningfully more common. Psychology studies, etc., say people like lists, but I've definitely noticed an increase use of them by news services in the last few years (and a noticeable increase just this year).

Ten reasons why online clickbait is just a cheesy marketing scheme designed to increase ad exposures.

To be pedantic, it is a list on how to be a "modern" gentleman.

Having said that, like all "lists" it's to be taken with a grain of salt.

Dante D'Amour said:

What an odd list! Yes Edward, I agree, it's amazing that some men feel that they earn the title of 'gentleman' just by simply being polite. Also, since when did being a gentleman mean knowing what an emoji is? Yes, must have been a frighteningly slow news day!

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Not to ruffle any feathers or hurt any feelings because I know there are a few FL members who sport tattoos, but between the photo of Daniel Craig and David Beckham, Daniel is hands down the one who epitomizes the word "gentleman." David looked great until I saw all those tattoos on his hands, they ruined his look, IMO. I think Adam Levine is one of the most handsome men on earth, but to me the tats detract from his good looks. It's simply personal preference.

Once again I find out I know nothing about being a gentleman...

What's a "gamekeeper" anyway? The guy who owns the Wii?

Lizzie, I actually did laugh out loud at your comment. That was truly funny!

I was surprised that "handles uncomfortable situations with tact and diplomacy" was not listed.

Edward said:

I guess it must have been a very slow news day at the Telegraph if the resorted to reporting this tripe. Silly, ephemeral checklist for the sort of person who holds the door for a lady because they want to call themselves gentlemen rather than because its the polite thing to do.

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I hold doors and tip my hat but never think of myself as a gentleman. The way I see it, gentlemanliness is something to be striven for but can never be reached. There’s always something needing improvement.

(40) Never reads 'The Telegraph' or 'Country life'..

TimeWarpWife said:

Not to ruffle any feathers or hurt any feelings because I know there are a few FL members who sport tattoos, but between the photo of Daniel Craig and David Beckham, Daniel is hands down the one who epitomizes the word "gentleman." David looked great until I saw all those tattoos on his hands, they ruined his look, IMO. I think Adam Levine is one of the most handsome men on earth, but to me the tats detract from his good look s. It's simply personal preference.

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Personal, aesthetic preferences are fair enough. Odd way to measure a person's worth, though - which is clearly what this list does. It does belie a certain middle-class, social-climbing attitude (which is, of course, the target market for such things). Also, if you buy into the class structure as desirable, it's somewhat historically at odds given the types who, in the Victorian and Edwardian eras especially, were heavily inked. (Personally I reject entirely the notion that being a "gentleman" is a matter of class, but thst's unlikely to be Country Life's take...).