A Gentleman

As I have said on many occasions, I pride myself on being a southern gentleman [SG], even though I fail often at my duty as a southern gentleman. I had been thinking lately that the rules of being an SG have been updated, whether I like it or not. Over the years, with women being seen as equals and in most situations, this is true, not all women like to be treated by a true SG in a gentlemanly way.

Now, before you get your knickers in a bunch, I am not talking about being rude or treating a woman badly, but some women somehow take offense to having a door opened for them or being offered a jacket on a cool spring evening.

Some women are just fiercely independent and guard their independence like a dog guarding a T-bone steak. There is nothing wrong with a woman not wanting to partake in a gentleman’s good manners. Let’s let people be who they want.

Back to the point at hand, a gentleman’s handbook needs a few updates because of these advancements in the way women and some men think. So, I now say, “ May I hold the door for you?” or “Would you like a jacket?” and offer other well-intentioned gentlemanly practices instead of just assuming a lady needs or wants anything from a gentleman such as myself, ha-ha!

With advancements in technology, sticking to gentlemanly rules, such as always wearing a watch, may be set aside because of clocks in mobile phones these days.

Chuch the address book and pen while you’re at it, although wearing a nice watch should still be practiced for date night and other fancy affairs of the evening.

Things a gentleman should still always have that do not change: a hanky or bandana, a good pocketknife or two, a tool set in the truck to help people who break down, and a good set of jumper cables. A gentleman must be ready for all eventualities.

Although, as a Gen-Xer, I have seen some crazy-looking trends with the younger generations coming up, I still think some of these youngsters are adhering to the gentleman’s code even if they were not taught the code or aware that they are performing gentlemanly traits. It might just be that the smalltown mentality is still raising proper gentlemen and ladies.

I see the younger generation still helping the elderly, stopping to help strangers on the side of the road, opening doors for ladies and their elders, and saying yes, sir and yes ma’am to their elders and those they respect.

There are many rules to being a proper gentleman or lady, and if you need help brushing up on them, may I suggest “The Modern Gentleman, 2nd Edition: A Guide to Essential Manners, Savvy, and Vice,” which can be had on Amazon or any fine purveyor of literature.

For the ladies in need of instruction, may I suggest “The Ladies’ Book of Etiquette and Manual of Politeness” This is Will B saying, pardon me, do you have any Grey Poupon?