It's High Time We Brought Back Being A Gentleman With Class
Shutterstock Images.Before you get all riled up and crying, "Oh boy, here goes Cons trying to tell us what to do again," I want you to know I am not telling you what to do. Do whatever you want but some of us are making strides to better ourselves.
Last week we had the new guy in town demonstrating how much class he has in the above video. Naturally, this took the world by storm because he was doing something that is almost never seen any more - taking his hat off when he is meeting someone. I will admit that the wild part of this is that it would be one thing if he was introduced to a couple people but Beef did this for everyone which was probably 1000+ people. I respect his commitment to the courtesy though. As stated, it was incredible.
So much so that I texted him about it and during our exchange he dropped a nugget that resonated from sea to shining sea:
"Being a gentleman isn't dead, it's just hiding."
You know what, he's right.
It got me to thinking - what are some other customs and courtesies that Beef and I do that we'd like to see adopted by more folks? Here is what we came up with and honestly, none of these are hard. Some may say they are old fashioned but we say they are classics that stand the test of time.
In no particular order, please incorporate these into your life as you see fit so we can have more gentlemen running around these parts:
- Allow women off the elevator first
- Remove your hat when meeting someone (see above)
- If you're outside wearing gloves, remove your glove when shaking someone's hand. This is especially prevalent at tailgates.
- If you're sitting at a table or in a chair and you're introduced to someone, stand up when you shake their hand and look him/her in the eye
- Speaking of shaking hands, make it firm. You don't need to break someone's fingers but too many people give you a dead fish and it's uncomfortable
- When you're sitting down to a meal, especially at a restaurant, wait until everyone's food arrives before you start to eat. Even if someone insists, "oh don't wait for me," you sit their politely and wait. Those extra 30 seconds won't kill you
- At restaurants, allow all of the women to order first
- When appropriate, tuck in your shirt
- A hand written "thank you" note goes a long way. If someone invites you to their club for a round of golf or gives you a gift, take the time to write them a note. Sending a text is better than nothing but putting in the effort to write a note demonstrates that you are actually grateful
- If wearing a hat to dinner, the right hand grabs the door, the left to take the hat off. Further, leave your hat off at dinner. As someone who used to have questionable hair before coming home, I understand wanting to hide your dome. Get over it, no one cares.
Always walk closest to the street when with others, your guests walk closest to the buildings
Always pack a tie in your suit coat to an event if you are unsure of the dress code as you can always put it on later. Far better to be overdressed and remove something than underdressed and embarrassed
Put your phone away at dinner and look people in the eye when speaking
Profanity - there is a time and place for all words but overuse is tacky
Large - please bring back Gentleman's Friday
Consider this the starter list as it is not extensive. There is nothing wrong with upholding some customs and courtesies. As Beef said, let's not hide being a gentleman any more. Don't worry about the origins of these customs because the important thing is that we are bringing them back in full force. Share this with your buddies.
Now go enjoy Beef's first video with the fellas
