Gentlemen are graceful and gracious. While they are concerned with appearances and making sure they are properly dressed for any occasion, what truly defines a Gentleman is his civility.

Self-effacing, and always willing to defer in conversation or matters of business, these are the honorable men who know how to embrace ritual and who can be trusted to arrive on time, give a tasteful toast, respect their elders, and appreciate the dignity of women.

The author Haruki Murakami puts it this way: “A gentleman is someone who does not what he wants to do, but what he should do.” Noel Coward and Cole Porter were Gentlemen wielding a rapier wit. Clark Gable was a Gentleman, as was the character he portrayed in Gone with the Wind, Rhett Butler, a conflicted and eloquent gambler who remains moral in the worst of circumstances.

James Bond is another fictional Gentleman who combines impeccable style with grace under pressure. The authors Tom Wolfe and Gay Talese are both literary Gentlemen. These days, dapper young stars like Ryan Reynolds and Justin Timberlake are picking up the mantle where their predecessors have left off.

Other Examples
Nate Burkus, Oscar de la Renta, Cary Grant, Gregory Peck

Strengths
Gentlemen are reliable, punctual, and unstintingly enthusiastic guests who know how to rise to any occasion—from dressing for dinner to writing witty thank-you notes.

Weaknesses
They can be stiff at times and unable to relax into the many casual situations of a fast-paced world in which vulgarity and belligerence are becoming the accepted norms.

Passions
Dinner parties and all special occasions, codes of etiquette, proper attire, toast-making

Reading

Words
“A gentleman does not boast about his junk.” -Emily Post

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