I overheard a conversation among some old "aunties" which said, "Orang putih memang gentlemen" which translates to foreigners are gentlemen. It shocked me, stunned and flabbergasted me all at once. No offense to any Westerners reading in but such qualities is not limited to you only.
It's another question of nature versus nurture as far as I'm concerned. Nobody is born with enough GQ that they'd be admitted straight into the Reform Club in London or walk straight into Buckingham Palace and be knighted minutes after being born. Gentlemanly traits and qualities are something that one grows up with and is mostly absorbed from one's surrounding.
So what is GQ? Is it just holding the door open for the lady, pulling her chair as she sits, getting the bill or buying flowers for no apparent reason? The answer to that is normally depending on which part of the human gender you are on. In fact, the line that differentiates between a gentlemen and a snob are so blurred at times that it can be quite amusing to be honest.
Is it a dying trait, maybe but is it something exclusive to Western men? Most definitely not. I grew up surrounded in an environment which preaches the qualities that supposedly women look for. No, my dad is not a "gwai-lo" nor is my mum an English lady. Having said that, am I gentlemanly enough to fit into the whole idea? I guess I can't answer that; those who know me would have to be the judge.
I've been blessed enough to have learned from so many great examples and they will always be a great reference for me. My late dad, my BIL, Tan Sri NMNY (sorry, cannot disclose guys :P) and fathers of my good friends have all been great examples to me. That ladies and gentlemen, is NURTURE and not nature. One can be born from the bloodline of royalty but if one is not cultivated and cultured, than it makes no difference.
Is such quality so difficult to obtain? Of course not. Every good natured religion preaches gentlemanly qualities. Respecting them, taking care of them, helping them and the lot, are in every religion's beliefs. Not because of any gender bias or anything but that's just how He has created all of us.
If there are any Western guys reading fret not, I don't hate you. In fact, I've got great friends who are westerners and I get along with them just fine. I'm actually disappointed that after 50 years of independence, 21st century and all, there are still those who still hold the west on a plateau like people a hundred years ago. In fact, this country was built in the spirit that we are just as good as everyone else around the world.
Did I want to just smack that person for saying such things, of course I do. Why am I so angry? Because I feel for the other guys who actually do more than their fair share of gentlemanly things yet is looked down upon. Wake up and smell the latte (which I'm dying for one), this is the new world so either grow up peeps or keep it to yourself aights ;)
Wikipedia says: The Reform Act 1832 did its work; the "middle classes" came into their own; and the word "gentleman" came in common use to signify not a distinction of blood, but a distinction of position, education and manners.
The last 2 are most definitely NURTURE don't you think ;)
Cheers!!! :D
It's another question of nature versus nurture as far as I'm concerned. Nobody is born with enough GQ that they'd be admitted straight into the Reform Club in London or walk straight into Buckingham Palace and be knighted minutes after being born. Gentlemanly traits and qualities are something that one grows up with and is mostly absorbed from one's surrounding.
So what is GQ? Is it just holding the door open for the lady, pulling her chair as she sits, getting the bill or buying flowers for no apparent reason? The answer to that is normally depending on which part of the human gender you are on. In fact, the line that differentiates between a gentlemen and a snob are so blurred at times that it can be quite amusing to be honest.
Is it a dying trait, maybe but is it something exclusive to Western men? Most definitely not. I grew up surrounded in an environment which preaches the qualities that supposedly women look for. No, my dad is not a "gwai-lo" nor is my mum an English lady. Having said that, am I gentlemanly enough to fit into the whole idea? I guess I can't answer that; those who know me would have to be the judge.
I've been blessed enough to have learned from so many great examples and they will always be a great reference for me. My late dad, my BIL, Tan Sri NMNY (sorry, cannot disclose guys :P) and fathers of my good friends have all been great examples to me. That ladies and gentlemen, is NURTURE and not nature. One can be born from the bloodline of royalty but if one is not cultivated and cultured, than it makes no difference.
Is such quality so difficult to obtain? Of course not. Every good natured religion preaches gentlemanly qualities. Respecting them, taking care of them, helping them and the lot, are in every religion's beliefs. Not because of any gender bias or anything but that's just how He has created all of us.
If there are any Western guys reading fret not, I don't hate you. In fact, I've got great friends who are westerners and I get along with them just fine. I'm actually disappointed that after 50 years of independence, 21st century and all, there are still those who still hold the west on a plateau like people a hundred years ago. In fact, this country was built in the spirit that we are just as good as everyone else around the world.
Did I want to just smack that person for saying such things, of course I do. Why am I so angry? Because I feel for the other guys who actually do more than their fair share of gentlemanly things yet is looked down upon. Wake up and smell the latte (which I'm dying for one), this is the new world so either grow up peeps or keep it to yourself aights ;)
Wikipedia says: The Reform Act 1832 did its work; the "middle classes" came into their own; and the word "gentleman" came in common use to signify not a distinction of blood, but a distinction of position, education and manners.
The last 2 are most definitely NURTURE don't you think ;)
Cheers!!! :D
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