The Rules of the Gentleman

[creagdhubh]

Very nice!

Cheers,

[longhuntr74]

Although I don't presume to know the mind of the OP, I took this list of rules as a reminder that the 'art' of being a gentleman is declining.
I don't think that if you fail to follow them to the letter, you can't be a gentleman.
I don't drink so I can't follow rule #15.
I can't afford tailored suits (my kilt is custom made 'tho) so rule #10 is out.
The scout oath does say be clean and courteous so I guess that's the same as Rule #1 and #4.
I look at these rules as goals to work toward and thus be a better person to be around and a better example for the generation behind me.
gary

Well said, Gary! It's funny how every time somebody posts something like this, there are always those that seem to be personally insulted or want to argue minute points instead of taking the overall message to heart. I could certainly make modifications to this list to make it better fit my opinions...but I'm quite content to take it as is for it's overall message.

Regarding tailored suits...one does need to be able to afford a custom made suit to fit rule #10. When you buy your suit, get the best fit you can in your shoulders, and then take it to a tailor/seamstress and have it altered in the waist, sleeves, and such to ensure that it fits you like it was made for you. If you have a larger chest than gut, these simple changes should also include moving the buttons about an inch on the right to take up slack in the front. It's that simple...and while it adds about $50 (for jacket and pants) to the overall cost of your suit, it's certainly worth the effort.

Finally, with regards to all the other cowboy codes, etc...I find it quite remarkable the amount of "social programming" that was inserted into TV shows and other forms of media in the 50's and 60's (though I guess it's no different today...many of us just don't like the modern messages). This was clearly a concerted effort to shape the values of a generation (or two)...much the same that the Scouting movement aims to do that very same thing. The difference between them, however, is that in Scouting, this is a stated objective of the program...it's quite overt. In these other programs/codes, it's almost subliminal and covert. Who was behind these efforts? Was it just the great idea of a bunch of producers? Was it an orchestrated effort by the US Government? I'm not a conspiracy theorist...but I do find this to be interesting food for thought.

[Tartan Tess]

Good point Longhuntr74

[BoldHighlander]

And Wild Bill Hickock....that must have been from a television show (I had sheriff John)
because the real Wild Bill might have had a whole different set of rules.......

Indeed it was a tv show

[BoldHighlander]

Although I don't presume to know the mind of the OP, I took this list of rules as a reminder that the 'art' of being a gentleman is declining.
I don't think that if you fail to follow them to the letter, you can't be a gentleman.
I don't drink so I can't follow rule #15.
I can't afford tailored suits (my kilt is custom made 'tho) so rule #10 is out.
The scout oath does say be clean and courteous so I guess that's the same as Rule #1 and #4.
I look at these rules as goals to work toward and thus be a better person to be around and a better example for the generation behind me.

Well said, Gary! It's funny how every time somebody posts something like this, there are always those that seem to be personally insulted or want to argue minute points instead of taking the overall message to heart. I could certainly make modifications to this list to make it better fit my opinions...but I'm quite content to take it as is for it's overall message.

Well said gentlemen. The OP (moi) had no intention at pointing fingers at anyone, insulting anyone, or making anyone feel inferior. When I saw this list I thought "hey, this speaks to a certain code I try to emulate in some small way, and know others here who would enjoy reading it as well."

I could care less if you wear a tailored tweed jacket etc with your kilt, or a t-shirt & a pair of trainers, or whether you drink gin & tonic (I don't) or like your whiskey neat (I do) or for that matter if you even drink at all....or how you like your coffee (I take mine black as midnight on a moonless night, unless there's some Baileys around -- then all bets are off! ). Its how you conduct yourself towards your fellow man (& woman) that marks you as a "gentleman!" (~ however, the fact remains that if your invited to certain social functions then you won't get past the front door wearing that t-shirt & trainers, I don't care how big you are! )

And just because you might drink gin & tonic and wear a suit doesn't make one limp wristed. I've known plenty of gent's who wear bespoke clothing who have proudly served their country facing death in some far dark corner of the world, and they are the last people I would call limp wristed!

Again, its how you conduct yourself that is the true mark of a "gentleman" ~ I was raised to hold open a door for others who were following behind me (male or female), to offer my arm to an elderly individual having trouble crossing an icy street, and to be civil and not disparage others who I don't necessarily agree with. I mourn the lack of civility that we have in this world today. Others may see this as quaint & old fashioned, but again, do not disparage me for trying to live my life to a higher personal standard!

As the OP, I posted these "rules" for fun (rather you live them, or not, in some fashion). I'm sorry if some here felt insulted or inferior because of them. No one (myself included) said you have to live this way to be a "gentleman". However, please show a little respect for those of us who do or in some small way try to emulate them in some fashion, there is no need to run anyone else down. Live & let live.
I've always had one main rule above all others: "if you want respect, you must first give respect" (i.e. "treat others as you yourself wish to be treated").

Okay, 'nuff said, I'll step off my soapbox now.

I've been debating (since posting the above) about rather or not I should edit or delete this posting, as I do not wish to be seen as fanning any flames. In point of fact, it was my original intention to ignore any negative & inflammatory comments made earlier, but since there had been some question(s) as to my original intent as OP, I felt it needed to be addressed and decided to leave it as is. It is my hope that we can go forward & have fun with this thread (I, for one, really enjoy reading others reminisces of their grandfathers etc), but *IF* that is not the case then I'll ask the Mods to close this thread.

[madmacs]

#16: A Gentleman can drive a stick-shift.

Piffle! Plenty of gentlemen cannot drive at all, or were born before the automobile was invented.

I do prefer a stick-shift. Do I look like a woman who would drive an automatic?

It looks like you have red hair... All bets are off...

[madmacs]

Yup, we fixed that but you blokes just can't catch on, now can ya.

I wanna know what you're all doing with the missing letters...

[Alan H]

Well, the OP certainly didn't make me feel inferior! Please just understand that some of us don't think that wearing expensive clothes and drinking gin and tonic has anything whatsoever to do with defining what is, or is not a "gentleman".

BTW, I really like the Lone Ranger credo that Steve posted. Actually, I like it a lot.

[BoldHighlander]

Well, the OP certainly didn't make me feel inferior! Please just understand that some of us don't think that wearing expensive clothes and drinking gin and tonic has anything whatsoever to do with defining what is, or is not a "gentleman".

BTW, I really like the Lone Ranger credo that Steve posted. Actually, I like it a lot.

[Father Bill]

When I first read the list, I didn't agree with, or fit into all of the "Rules," nor did I feel inferior for failing to meet them precisely, but I chuckled because I think I knew where this set of rules was going and it struck a chord with me.

Obviously from the typesetting they were not the original poster's personal opinion, but rather something he had found that struck a chord with him too. In my mind, they brought forward a general sense of something that while it has morphed over time (thus, I think, many of the disagreements) still remains true in its essence - not its detail. A focus on the small disagreements I believe may inadvertently diminish something that while no longer contemporary, is nonetheless valuable.

Thank you, Bold Highlander, for posting something that reaches back into time to pull forward, not an accurate definition, but an accurate sense of something that may yet be lost if we get too fussy about detail. The general concept is worth keeping. Those who cannot see or understand it may need to watch some old Gary Cooper and Bing Crosby movies!

Bill