English Gentle man

Being a true English gentleman is not, of course, simply a matter of behaviour. Anyone can learn how to pick the right colour of handkerchief or the correct way to address a bishop. To be worthy of the title of “gentleman”, you need to have been in training since birth. Born to upper-class parents, brought up by the right kind of nanny, attending one of a small selection of schools, you next need to negotiate the minefield of Oxbridge colleges, private clubs and foreign travel. Your choice of hobby, choice of tipple, choice of dog, horse and wife (in that order) will all speak volumes about your suitability for the role. You need to cultivate impeccable manners, an implacable expression and a strong sense of fair play. You’ll have money but not mention it, be patriotic but not shout about it, and always be perfectly turned out but not vain about it. Born in the 18th century and possibly reaching his apotheosis in the early 20th century, the English Gentleman now seems to be a dying breed. What do you think?

The English gentleman is noted for his reserve, his natural courtesy and also for his kindness and helpfulness to strangers
Roger Griffiths

The English gentleman does not have a concern with money, birth or power. He does not want to triumph or to win. He is certainly not interested in the "spots of commoness" so beloved of people who are trying to tell him that because he buys something he will be acting like a gentleman. He is classless and can choose to stop being a gentleman. In law perhaps he is someone who does not need to work (but nowadays that would apply to an awful lot of people). He is an ideal held up as a figure of fun by people wishing to promulgate their own ideals or justify their own pettiness and lack of feeling for people rather than countries or ideologies. A gentleman is concerned with people, courtesy and kindness but not qualities that arise from his sex, race, class or creed. Could he ever exist? Probably not, but some men do have some of the qualities of a gentleman. When we trust someone and our trust is shown to have been not misplaced, it is probably because we have met as near a gentleman as we can. But he is not a Saint.
Comment on The English Gentleman posted 2008-03-12 by Philip Johnson from York

It means only to have the finer things in life, but by only to achieve them through success by being the best at what you are, a gentleman.

Comment on The English Gentleman posted 2006-09-03 by carlos vazquez from usa

Not so much an icon, more an endangered species!
Comment on The English Gentleman posted 2006-08-07 by Maggie R from Australia, thank goodness

The English Gentleman, a perfect Mr Darcy. Wouldn't say no now would you?

Comment on The English Gentleman posted 2006-08-04 by Emma from UK

Excellent idea for the English Gentelman to be an icon. The vitues and behaviour would be the perfect for the the nations people to aim for. He is not a stereotype but an archetype to be idealised.
Comment on The English Gentleman posted 2006-02-21 by Andrew Russell from Wigan

Do we really want to continue the stereotype? Why would shallow arrogance be a good national icon? The public schools that bred 'gentlemen' were to rule over an Empire that made us rich on the back of still enduring third world poverty. Is that something we want to be proud of?
Comment on The English Gentleman posted 2006-02-20 by Janet Simpson from France