Monday, August 23, 2010

Does the definition of Gentleman still applies today?

In today's society, everyone is looking for that "ONE" which will bring you joy and happiness and so the both of you will live happily ever after. But how did one define the term "Gentleman". Throughout the history the term gentleman would be use during an announcement, conversation, and tea break topics with an exclusion which is strictly if only the person applies to the requirement of a gentleman. So how did one fits into the category of a gentleman back in the days?
To a certain degree, "gentleman" represents a man with an income derived from property, a legacy or some other source, and was thus independently wealthy and did not need to work. The term was particularly used of those who could not claim nobility or even the rank of esquire. But did evolution change it's meaning? Apparently yes, in today's dictionary the term gentleman have too many definition. From www.thefreedictionary.com,

1. A man of gentle or noble birth or superior social position: "He's too much a gentleman to be a scholar" (Aphra Behn).
2. A well-mannered and considerate man with high standards of proper behavior. See Usage Note at lady.
3. A man of independent means who does not need to have a wage-paying job.
4. A man: Do you know this gentleman?
5. gentlemen (-mn) Used as a form of address for a group of men.
6. A manservant; a valet.

Base on the above explanation, It basically describe all man whose dress is recognizable and agreed upon to be proper for a man.
While it is interesting for the above explanation, looking at dictionary.reference.com we will find it means

1. a man of good family, breeding, or social position.
2. (used as a polite term) a man: Do you know that gentlemanover there?
3. gentlemen, (used as a form of address): Gentlemen, pleasecome this way.
4. a civilized, educated, sensitive, or well-mannered man: Hebehaved like a true gentleman.
5. a male personal servant, esp. of a man of social position;valet.
6. a male attendant upon a king, queen, or other royal person,who is himself of high birth or rank.
7. a man of good social standing, as a noble or an armigerouscommoner.
8. a man with an independent income who does not work for aliving.
9. a male member of the U.S. Senate or House ofRepresentatives: The chair recognizes the gentleman fromMassachusetts.
10. History/Historical . a man who is above the rank of yeoman.


So with all the definition which we see on the dictionary and throughout history it still strikes the very fundamental definition of man in today's society of how to be a gentleman?
We can see this in the eye of a gentleman, or we can see this in the eye of a lady. In today's world, one of the most disturbing cases of "Not a gentleman" scenario is being drawn by lady in most cases. Lets take a look at some of the example below (Some of these images are disturbing, if you do not agree to it. Please do not leave any comment or shit my page just because you think otherwise)

Case 1: The bag gentleman
Exhibit Group A (Pictures Courtesy of google.com)
 
Exhibit Group B (Pictures Courtesy of google.com)
Now with all the controversial conversation about men with ladies bag. Let's be straight about one thing, trend is moving revolution. Embracing trend is like holding onto your cup of coffee every morning and walking it with you to work, until cappuccino is invented. You'll be holding cappuccino with you to work. Why? because you have a choice. Knowing that group A is embracing trend thus gentleman, while group B is holding onto words that says "hold my bag else your not a gentleman" thus PUSSY.

To be Continue.....

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