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100 Ways To Be A Gentleman


When I saw a friend’s Facebook post the other day about him being upset after he was abused by a woman for offering up his seat by that very said woman, it got me thinking, what exactly does it mean to be a gentleman in the modern age? What really goes into being a man? Consulting my friend Marco or MrVolpato.com, he pointed me to this quote from one of his posts: “Chivalry isn’t putting women on a pedestal or patronising them, and it’s no reflection of them. It’s a reflection of you.”

And I think this perfectly epitomises what being a gentleman is all about – acting so not because society expects it or we should do something, but because you genuinely want to. In my view, there’s nothing wrong with my friend wanting to offer up his seat, as it’s not a reflection on the lady but rather speaks volumes about who he is as a person: a gentleman. Embodying the gentleman lifestyle means following a set of steadfast rules. Practice makes perfect, right?

Table of contents

So without further adieu, here are 100 Ways To Be a Gentleman:

1. Be a good listener.

2. Be a loyal friend. Keep your word.

3. Be reliable and on time. Be punctual.

4. Be trustworthy.

5. Never pull your phone during a conversation or at dinner (even if it’s to show someone a photo).

6. Take pride in your appearance. Look sharp fellas.

Man opens car door for woman
Ways To Be A Gentleman | Image: Sony Pictures

7. Open the cab door for someone (even if it’s a male friend).

8.Call or message to check your friend got home safely.

9. Make time for what’s important to you.

10. Don’t blame others for your failures but don’t be too hard on yourself.

“Courtesy is as much of a Mark of a gentleman as Courage” – Theodore Roosevelt

11. Fold your washing. No one likes a messy room.

12. Give more than you receive in the bedroom. It’s better if you’re both having fun.

13. Never talk about your salary. It won’t make you feel better if you learn you’re earning more than someone else but it will make you upset when you hear you aren’t. Plus it’s just plain rude to talk about money.

14. Stand when she approaches or leaves the table.

15. Walk on the street side of the curb.

Leonardo DiCaprio in a grey suit
Ways To Be A Gentleman | Image: Francois Duhamel/Paramount Vantage

16. Be nice to yourself — stumbles and failures are going to happen. No one’s perfect.

17. Compliment her on more than just her physical appearance.

18. Pull out her chair.

19. Offer your coat when it’s cold.

20. Allow her to order first, but if she isn’t ready, don’t insist.

“I am a great believer in luck. The harder I work, the more of it I seem to have.” – Coleman Cox

21. Send her flowers for no reason.

22. Walk her to her car/taxi/door. Regardless of your motive.

23. Hold the umbrella over her.

24. Treat her to dinner out every so often.

25. Put thought into your dates.

Renée Zellweger and Hugh Grant in Bridget Jones's Diary
Ways To Be A Gentleman | Image: Universal Pictures

26. Be genuinely intrigued with what she has to say.

27. Pay attention whilst in conversation.

28. Encourage her to pursue her goals

29. Carry her heavy bags.

30. Give a massage to your significant other. You know how good it feels when it’s done to you so return the favour.

“A gentleman is one who never hurts anyone’s feelings unintentionally.” – Oscar Wilde

31. Have eyes for her and her alone.

32. Respect her space.

33. Always hold the door open the door for someone.

34. Never stop learning. Don’t be a know-it-all.

35. Set your standards and values high.

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Joseph Gordon-Levitt in a black suit
Ways To Be A Gentleman | Image: Getty Images

36. Maintain a Sense of Humor.

37. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Keep your cool.

38. Be willing to share some secrets.

39. Don’t swear. Watch your language.

40. Be genuine.

“You will become way less concerned with what other people think of you when you realize how seldom they do.” – David Foster Wallace

41. Lead by example… in all aspects of life.

42. Stand up for ladies or those less fortunate on the bus.

43. Stay humble and be gracious.

44. Iron your shirts.

Ryan Gosling in a patterned suit
Ways To Be A Gentleman | Image: Tim Palen

45. Clean your shoes. A man’s shoes says a lot about his personality.

46. Send a hand written thank you note after attending an event.

47. If you can’t make it, let people know. Don’t just not show up.

48. Don’t have an end goal in mind when going on a date.

49. Share your ideas with people.

50. Always extend a firm handshake.

“Stop comparing your behind-the-scenes with everyone else’s highlight reel.” – Steven Furtick

51. Make breakfast for her.

52. Forgive others. Don’t go holding grudges that’ll eat up inside you.

53. Find a good TV Show you both love.

54. Go for a walk together

55. Never send more than two texts in a row. Be careful with your words and don’t pester people (especially on Tinder).

Christian Bale as Batman
Ways To Be A Gentleman | Image: Warner Brothers

56. Embrace change.

57. Don’t bitch about other people. If someone is worth respecting, they’re probably already thinking the same thing as you anyways.

58. Want others to succeed, not to fail.

59. Say “please” and “thank you” often.

60. Admit When you’re wrong.

“The most important investment you can make is in yourself.” – Warren Buffet

61. Don’t pick fights you don’t have to.

62. Be comfortable surrounding yourself with good company, or none.

63. Watch how much you drink.

64. Be willing to help others.

65. Maintain eye contact in conversation.

Gentleman in a suit holding a vinyl disc in front of a lady
Ways To Be A Gentleman | Image: Warner Brothers

66. Move around confidently and with intention.

67. Respect your elders.

68. Before sending a text (particularly on dating apps), think, what would my mum think if she read this?

69. Guard your reputation with your life.

70. Be chivalrous, not patronizing.

“Education begins the gentleman, but reading, good company and reflection must finish him.”- John Locke

71. Learn, observe and study, but never worship.

72. Attitude is everything. Maintain a positive one.

73. Make reservations for the restaurant.

74. Help a lady with her coat but ask first, “May I?”

75. Mind your table manners.

Couple touching face to face
Ways To Be A Gentleman | Image: Arthur Hidden

76. This shouldn’t need to be even said but a gentleman never hits a woman. Ever.

77. Pay attention to the details.

78. Ask for her family’s blessing before proposing.

79. Tell her you care. Every. Single. Day.

80. Embrace your inner Fred Astaire. Have a dance and don’t stand idle.

“A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly.” – Robert A. Heinlein

81. Keep your hygiene in check.

82. Be a grown-up. Clean up any unsavoury social media profiles from yesteryears.

83. Find your purpose.

84. Be clear about what you want.

85. Don’t be greedy (go see The Big Short).

Man in a dark blue suit holding a dark blue hat close to his chest
Ways To Be A Gentleman | Image: Lolostock

86. Know the difference between confidence and arrogance.

87. Stay open-minded but firm in your beliefs and morals.

88. Never lie to a woman unless it is to surprise her.

89. Mean what you say, and say what you mean.

90. Try not to judge. We all carry prejudices but make sure you’re aware of them.

“A gentleman is one who puts more into the world than he takes out.”  – George Bernard Shaw

91. Know how to cook… at least one good meal.

92. Always offer to pay.

93. Know when not to say anything.

94. Always offer a drink to your guests and carry their luggage to their rooms.

95. Never kiss and tell.

Woman in the middle of two man in suits facing each other
Ways To Be A Gentleman | Image: Warner Brothers

96. Know when to clap.

97.Know how to tell a good story.

98. Know the exception to a rule.

99. Know how to give a good toast.

100. Be yourself.

Do you agree with the list? What numbers are controversial? Let us know in the comments below.

You’ll also like: 
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General FAQ

How do you become a gentleman?

A few of the most important things when it comes to being a gentleman are being trustworthy, being loyal and being reliable.

How does a gentleman treat a women?

To be a gentleman you must be respectful to women. Listen to them, be honest with them, and treat them like a lady.