The Rules of the Gentleman

**highlander999** · 15th December 11, 07:58 AM

I just found this and forwarded the Rules to all my friends with son's of age to learn it. Seems much of this has been lost. The thing that strikes me is that most young me "Can't drive a stick shift"... What has happened???

**Peter Crowe** · 15th December 11, 08:06 AM

Originally Posted by highlander999

I just found this and forwarded the Rules to all my friends with son's of age to learn it. Seems much of this has been lost. The thing that strikes me is that most young me "Can't drive a stick shift"... What has happened???

Only in those countries (like the USA) where passing your road test on an automatic transmission gets you an unrestricted car driving license. In the UK and Europe you must pass on a manual geared car to get an unrestricted license. Indeed in Britain you must be able to use your clutch to do a hill start without rolling backwards to pass the road test.

**artificer** · 15th December 11, 08:13 AM

Originally Posted by highlander999

I just found this and forwarded the Rules to all my friends with son's of age to learn it. Seems much of this has been lost. The thing that strikes me is that most young me "Can't drive a stick shift"... What has happened???

It's odd, but apart from my time in High School where I worked at an auto detailing shop and would drive 10-20 cars a day, I've never driven an automatic with any regularity.

The 2 times a year I'm FORCED to drive my wife's car (which I loathe with a passion) I find myself madly searching for the clutch pedal and having to fight not to shift the automatic transmission lever.

Originally Posted by Peter Crowe

Only in those countries (like the USA) where passing your road test on an automatic transmission gets you an unrestricted car driving license. In the UK and Europe you must pass on a manual geared car to get an unrestricted license. Indeed in Britain you must be able to use your clutch to do a hill start without rolling backwards to pass the road test.

This is a fantastic idea- although somewhat unnecessary here, it's actually nearly impossible to FIND a standard transmission car in the US anymore. You actually need to go out of your way to find one (barring Subaru, the sportier Hondas, and some German cars).

ith:

**justbud** · 15th December 11, 08:33 AM

I find myself wanting to use my feet for the wrong actions after piloting an aircraft, on cross-country flights with multiple stops, and transitioning back to my stick-shift car.

I presented the originally posted photo to the undergraduate Chapter of my Fraternity, and they are now searching for poster versions to put up on the wall of the Chapter House.

Great post!

**Bugbear** · 15th December 11, 03:29 PM

All right, here is one I have been pondering, from an actual situation I have been dealing with for a while, and trying to express in written form.

* A good gentleman is up front about or sets aside expectations of reciprocity when offering to share with, give to, or help another. *

The actual situation is being pestered to let someone help me, then said person turns around with unannounced, conditional strings attached to the help; this sometimes, from my perspective, involves more than an equitable reciprocation. From that, I decided it would be better to either announce my expectations of reciprocity up front (I'll help you with this, if you help me with that) or simply let go of any expectation, especially on an emotional level, of reciprocity: share, give, help for the sake of sharing, giving, or helping.
A starting point, not an end-all, be-all.

**James Hood** · 19th December 11, 07:48 PM

And of Knighthood...

Live pure

Speak True

Right wrong

Follow The King

**highlander999** · 21st December 11, 03:21 PM

Mr. Crowe, I wish the USA would implements such rules on our drivers. Being a Farm boy I grew up driving manual transmissions all together. I don't own a vehicle with an Automatic Transmission. My pickup has a 5 speed and my RX8 has a 6 speed. Everyone should know how to start on an uphill slope with a car that has a clutch

And even the sports cars on the showroom foors have automatics now. Rather sad

**highlander999** · 21st December 11, 03:23 PM

One thing left off of the list.

21. A gentleman knows how to tie a bow tie (and would never wear a clip on)

I have a couple more, but that one especially hits me.

**highlander999** · 21st December 11, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by Bugbear

All right, here is one I have been pondering, from an actual situation I have been dealing with for a while, and trying to express in written form.

* A good gentleman is up front about or sets aside expectations of reciprocity when offering to share with, give to, or help another. *

The actual situation is being pestered to let someone help me, then said person turns around with unannounced, conditional strings attached to the help; this sometimes, from my perspective, involves more than an equitable reciprocation. From that, I decided it would be better to either announce my expectations of reciprocity up front (I'll help you with this, if you help me with that) or simply let go of any expectation, especially on an emotional level, of reciprocity: share, give, help for the sake of sharing, giving, or helping.
A starting point, not an end-all, be-all.

An offer to help is just that an Offer to help. Any conditions must be laid prior to acceptance. Much like a gift.

**Meggers** · 21st December 11, 04:39 PM

I remember when my friend was dating a guy who constantly fancied himself "chivalrous". When I was hungry at her house, she offered me a frozen burrito and then the "chivalrous" man came home, pitched a fit, and said that I owe him 25 cents for the burrito. I dont think Ive ever laughed so hard. No chivalrous man would make a lady pay 25 cents for a burrito.