I agree, good sir, but I would hasten to add that a true gentleman should be curious about his surroundings and educated enough to talk about most subjects with some degree of knowledge.

I would also suggest that he should project a high degree of refinement in his appearance.

I heard someone say recently that a gentlman was somebody who describes a woman without using his hands.

All the points presented are of the most importance to the conduct and appearance of a gentleman, and I agree wholeheartedly with them.

I personally believe that gentleman should refrain from unnecessary violence, but should be able, and unafraid, to defend himself if the situation calls for it. Carrying a weapon was not uncommon for the gentlemen of the past, whether it be a sword or firearm in one's cane or pocket. Depending on the country the gentleman is from, today's gentleman can do so quite freely as long as the proper paperwork is processed of course.

I also motion that a gentleman should not rely on such tools of destruction, if he is even able to with regards to the law, and be able to fight with his fists or a martial art.

>>26
I agree entirely. I believe it somewhat the duty of a gentleman to lend assistance to others as often as possible, if necessary and appropriate. This is especially true in dire circumstances, the sort that could likely require physical ability and action.

A gentleman should be polite above all else.
While he may enjoy an alcoholic beverage, he should never be intoxicated.
He should be tastefully dressed and show pride in the appearance of both his person and his home.
He should always seek to improve himself.
While he may be displeased, he should never lash out in anger, especially to a woman.
He should always show respect to others and to the law of the land.

>>24
>I heard someone say recently that a gentlman was somebody who describes a woman without using his hands.
Hat tip to you, my good sir!

Varying are these "women" and their lamentations of the honest and noble man. Worry not for the mind of the weaker sex, for the fellowship of man has prospered since the beginning of time. T'was but a woman that resulted in man being cast away from the Garden of Eden, due to disobeying the god of man's order to show disinterest towards the fruit of knowledge. Nowadays, my good chum, a man can not have a right word edgewise pertaining to any argument a "lady" might propose. However, as a man of refined taste, I can advise you to, if possible, frequent a local diner or café, though pay mind to puffing your pipe outside of the establishment, for it shows courtesy and dignity. Establish your presence by removing your top hat when you walk into the vicinity, and welcome everyone whom you meet with a warm smile and a court bow of your head. Eventually, a "she" with a refined palette should initiate the act of courtship by introducing herself and asking if she may be seated. You will want to allow her to be seated, rather than deny her the opportunity.

I would say there is a few issues which must be considered. There are numerous areas of life which need be considered. Business, family life, attitude towards unfamiliar people, and when reaction to regretfull events. My manners are spoiled by my cursing upon ocasion but I always try to follow my internal moral codex.

If -- Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!

I think this rule encompasses all people, but a gentleman in particular should strive to be kind to everyone. Yes, even the ruffians and lower classes who may have a distaste for you! For what good is a gentleman if he lets the small meaningless events disrupt his ever vigilant mind?

By all means, I have no agenda to enforce a rule upon you gentleman. I have no intention of forcing the idea that being passive or forfeiting you honor to save face is what a gentleman does. What I'm suggesting is that a gentleman should remain in a fresh state of mind, he thinks before he acts. One should contain and display the capacity to become unmoved or hardly bothered by the small things, a stable gentleman is the one to rely on when things get out of hand.

Caring, calm, and calculating. These are important qualities if not essential for the proper gentleman.

Having heartily enjoyed this thread, I am going to make the suggestion that we commit these defining traits to paper, in some sort of a Gentlemans' book. The book would aid us in teaching other men the proper way to behave.

>>281

Thank you for this fine poetry, Sir. I was not familiar with it.

>>289
I heartily agree with this gentleman's proposal; such a tome would undoubtedly assist those wishing to join the gentrified life.

Good sirs, I call upon your predisposed forgiveness for if what I may make mention of, has been made mention of.
>I first call upon the true mark of a gentleman, his posture.
This is an important distinguishing factor amongst men and gentlemen, for the tycoon may hold a hunch or a closed chest whilst a pauper can walk proudly with broad shoulder and hips thrust. Your posture speaks a volume and a half to the men and women who surround you.
>The next mark of a true gentleman, the value of his word and input.
A man who's word can be trusted undoubtedly, is a rare and precious breed of men. A gentleman is known for his: truth, integrity, and benevolence of word. For if: you lack truth, you are of weighted suspicion from yourself and others; you lack integrity, you are but a grown boy and will be seen as such; and if you lack the benevolence of word, you are but a gaunt prick in the emperor's clothes. When one holds these traits whilst not being loquacious, people will want to hear your voice and word.
>Somewhat importantly: the nature of a true gentleman, is inspiring.
A gentleman is an inspiring human, by any means. The Dalai Lama is an inspiring gentleman for he is bringing internal peace to this world. Einstein was inspiring for his unbound curiosity. Emerson was inspiring for the mystery he carried within himself. Carl Sagan was inspiring for being inspiring. Mozart was inspiring for the beauty that was held in his music. It may not take a heap of an effort to be inspiring, but it certainly makes all the difference.
>While all the aforementioned are marks of a gentleman, what seals the deal is that he is pleasurable to be around.
He is polite, sincere, and treats ALL humans equally (children, women, clerks, prisoners, the rich, as well as prostitutes and beggers). He holds no vices, poor mannerisms, habitual foul scents, or grudges. And a rather silly trait that boys have today is making rude humor of the functioning of their bodies: they laugh at and socially chastise one-another for actions such as: passing gas (from the top and bottom) or accidental erections.

As you may see I hold a high mark on what it is to be thought of as a gentleman, a mark that I admittedly slip below on occasion. Being a gentleman is something to be proud of, but to hold no pride in.

In addition to the previously proposed notions - all of which I wholeheartedly agree - I would suggest that a gentleman is characterized by a sense of noblesse oblige and always strive to "stand in the gap" on behalf of others when ones' station and resources permit.

A prime example is that of a man who will mentor a fatherless boy that - while not his own - he will treat and invest in as his own son.

>>314
>He treats all humans equally
Why? Why should a gentleman treat all humans equally? Surely, a gentlemen would carry in his mind an ideal for Society and would thus frown upon certain behaviours and mentalities that he would deem detrimental to the progression of his society and to the happiness of his fellow man? After all, the only way one can remove rejection is to remove the standards that create them. Once we remove standards, we remove order thus we "progress" into chaos. Not only that but a gentleman should not hold apathy towards politics. He should be actively involved in the nature of his society and the betterment of his fellow man.

Then again, I suppose this calls into question, what you mean when you say "human". I think it's worth noting that you mention Einstein as an example of a gentleman and Einstein himself, if I recall correctly, stated that he saw all men equally, be it the governor or the garbage man so perhaps when you refer to a human, you're only thinking of the civil, contributing members of society.

What about those that leech off of the good will of others? What of those that abuse the welfare system? Or those that evade taxes? What of the manipulators and connivers?

>>408
>respond to their negative actions in isolation
Can you elaborate?

Who do you expect to post here? It is YOU who is responsible for the rise or fall of this chan. YOU are it's keeper and its champion.

Your great grandmother’s dead. Before long I’ll be dead, and you and your brother and your sister and all of her children, all of us dead, all of us rotting underground. It’s 99han that lives on. It’s all that lives on. Not your personal glory, not your honor… but 99chan. You understand?