Who is a Gentleman

[Unkle Sherman]

Columbus, Ga. Enquirer, May 15, 1860.

"Who is a Gentleman-- A gentleman is not merely a person acquainted with certain forms of conventionality's of life, easy and self-possessed in society, able to speak, and act, and move through the world without awkwardness, free from habits which are vulgar and in bad taste. A gentleman is something beyond this. At the base of all his ease and refinement, and tact and power of pleasing, is the same spirit which lies at the root of every christian virtue.---It is the thoughtful desire of doing in every instance to others as he would that others should do unto him. He is constantly thinking, not indeed how he may give pleasure to others for the mere sense of pleasing, but how he can show them respect, how he may avoid hurting their feelings. When he is in society he scrupulously ascertains the position of every one with whom he is brought in contact, that he may give to each his due honor. He studies how to avoid touching upon any subject which may call up a disagreeable or offensive association. A gentleman never alludes to, ever appears conscious of any personal defect, bodily deformity, inferiority of talent, of rank or reputation, in the persons in whose society he is placed. He never assumes any superiority---never ridicules, never boasts, never makes a display of his own powers, or rank, or advantages; never indulges in habits which may be offensive to others".

[George D Rodriguez]

I understand mi hermano as I am with mine.

[Duke_Wayne]

Great Post Unkle!

[C. F. 'Charley' Eckhardt]

While I'm perfectly aware that a woman can open her own doors, pull out her own chairs, put on her own coats, &--if she smokes--light her own cigarettes, I am of the school that says as long as there's a man around, she shouldn't have to. Gentlemen, we may be a dying breed--and society will be the poorer without us.

[flboots]

Since no one else is going to toot my horn. Ill guess Ill will. LOL Im as close as they come. I have old fashion values. I also wear my pants around my waste. ROFL. And wear my ball cap the right way.

[flboots]

So far in all my years I havent had a women come down on me for holding the door open for them. In fact they give me a cheery thank you and a smile.

[C. F. 'Charley' Eckhardt]

Wait 'til you run into a 'liberated' college gal. The stuff they're puttin' out in college classes these days will curl your hair if it ain't & straighten it if it is.

[Odessa Red]

I certainly don't mind a door or two held open for me...and even though I can dump 50# bags of grain in the barrels and buck and stack my own hay bales, if a gentleman asks me "Can I help you with your grocery bags", I say yes please and thank you as I put my baby in the car. I believe there has to be women who appreciate a simple act of kindness that will perpetuate gentlemen continuing to offer. Kindness and courtesy breeds the same, no matter who the giver or receiver. I, in turn, hold doors open for the elderly, women holding small children, and a gentleman or two if he's following behind me!

[Badlands Belle]

While I was Christmas shopping today, a young man (maybe 10 or 11) was coming out of a store with his mother and younger brother, the mother and young one was already out the door and he was behind them when I noticed him and he noticed me. When he saw me, he turned around and held the door open for me! What a pleasent surprise! A true gentleman and I told him he was also. He was beaming as he caught up with his mother. It made my day and gave me hope for the future of gentlemen in this day of so few.

[Mike Franklin]

I doubt that I rate as a Gentleman but I guess I try the best I can to be courteous and kind, often to those who might not deserve it.