A real gentleman is the essence of chivalry. The term gentleman originated years ago all the way back to times of knighthood. The idea of a gentleman has evolved and progressed. However, a gentleman still has some things in common with the term from years ago, such as compassion and empathy, protecting and defending the weak, and being honest and kind. Below you will find specific traits of the 21st Century gentlemen!
1. Opening Doors
A classic gentleman always opens physical doors for women. However, the modern-day gentleman also opens symbolic doors for a woman, like offering to make professional introductions or referrals.
2. Being Punctual
This trait of a gentleman hasn’t changed with time. A gentleman is always on time because being punctual communicates respect and honor.
3. Being Protective
Gentlemen of any generation protect those around them at all costs. Especially for women. In the 21st century, this means that a gentleman will keep himself between his partner and danger, whether the woman is walking down the sidewalk or about to be hit by a car on the street.
4. Being Comforting
A classic gentleman would stereotypically give his jacket to a woman whether it’s cold or not. In modern days, gentlemen offer their seats to women standing on buses for example, and also keep offering their coats and sweaters.
5. Pulling Out Chairs
This is another characteristic that has stood the test of time. But it may not occur as much as it did in the century before.
6. Being Courteous
Now, it means using words such as thank you and please. However, in medieval times, the words would have been different, but the emotions would have been the same.
7. Stepping Back In Line
Today, this means enabling women to order their food or drink first or letting a woman use a bank machine before you do.
8. Offering Physical Aid
In Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Bingley helped Jane and her carriage out of a flooded country meadow. However, in the 21st century, gentlemen will offer to carry heavy objects and also move furniture and appliances.
9. Impeccable Manners
Emphasis has always been on table manners, both hundreds of years ago and today.
10. Impeccable Politeness
Both medieval and modern gentlemen are always polite and kind no matter what. The only situation they would not be polite is when their honor has been questioned or offended.
11. Paying For Food And Activities
This ideology has changed a bit in favor of equality between the sexes. However, modern gentlemen should offer to pay the bill, but also be prepared to split it.
12. Being Attentive
Gentlemen have always been exceptionally focused and attentive. However, knights likely succeeded in their quests far more frequently than modern day gentlemen do.
13. Being Open And Honest
This means telling 100% of the truth and also sharing any information that you know the other person might want to know.
14. Being Reliable And Trustworthy
Gentlemen keep secrets when they have been asked to. And they also reserve any information that they think the other person would want to keep secret.
15. Being Faithful
This is one quality trait that may be more notable in modern-day gentlemen than in Knighted gentlemen. Back then, having a mistress was more acceptable than it is today.
16. Being Gentle
This means that a gentleman never strikes a woman, intimidates a woman, or yells at a woman.
17. Practicing Patience And Restraint
Now this means letting the other person order first or eat first and allowing the other person to make the first move or send a clear signal.
18. Being Humorous
This maybe has not been a requirement for knighthood, but a modern gentleman should be able to say a joke sometimes and be able to take a joke even more.
19. Being Ambitious
This used to mean winning trophies and horses for maidens, but nowadays, it means starting businesses and movements.
20. Enforcing Morality
No matter the century or even the continent, gentlemen have always done the right thing. They have always tried to prevent others from doing the wrong things as well.
Source:
https://www.gentlemansgazette.com/gentleman-what-it-means-today/
