There are certain points in a man’s life where one would expect him to know how to do certain things. For instance, by the age of 3 he should probably know how to tie his own shoe laces, at 6 we would hope he can ride a bicycle, by 17 he should be on his way to knowing how to drive, 18…order a beer etc etc, the list undoubtedly goes on. This, however, is our list of 20 things that ever gentleman should know how to do…
1. OPEN A BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE
We’re not saying you should be ‘popping bottles’ every night, but we do believe that gentleman should know the correct way to open a bottle of champagne, ie: without firing the cork into someones eye or indeed through a priceless painting.
We’re not saying you should be ‘popping bottles’ every night, but we do believe that gentleman should know the correct way to open a bottle of champagne, ie: without firing the cork into someones eye or indeed through a priceless painting.
2. READ A MAP
With sat-nav ruling the route of many a man’s car these days, we still believe that an ability to read a map is an essential gentlemanly quality.
With sat-nav ruling the route of many a man’s car these days, we still believe that an ability to read a map is an essential gentlemanly quality.
3. CHANGE A LIGHTBULB
Hands down one of the most important things that a man should know how to do.
Hands down one of the most important things that a man should know how to do.
4. TIE A BOW-TIE
It doesn’t matter how many (or few) black tie events you attend a year, every gentleman must be be able to tie his own bow-tie. Simple. (No clip-ons please gentlemen)
It doesn’t matter how many (or few) black tie events you attend a year, every gentleman must be be able to tie his own bow-tie. Simple. (No clip-ons please gentlemen)
5. CHANGE A TYRE
You never know when you might find yourself stuck down a country road in the middle of nowhere with no signal and an 8 hour wait until the AA can reach you – so this is an essential.
You never know when you might find yourself stuck down a country road in the middle of nowhere with no signal and an 8 hour wait until the AA can reach you – so this is an essential.
6. HOST A PARTY
…a good party at that. From the right guest list and drinks, to picking the perfect soundtrack, every gentleman should know how to host a party.
…a good party at that. From the right guest list and drinks, to picking the perfect soundtrack, every gentleman should know how to host a party.
7. SMOKE A CIGAR
“Why pay $100 on a therapy session when you can spend $25 on a cigar?” – Raul Julia. And quite right he was too, a gentleman should know not just how to smoke one, but how to appreciate one.
“Why pay $100 on a therapy session when you can spend $25 on a cigar?” – Raul Julia. And quite right he was too, a gentleman should know not just how to smoke one, but how to appreciate one.
8. SEW A BUTTON
Any man who thinks that this is only the work of a woman is just that; a man. A gentleman knows how to sew a button on, in a matter of minutes and whenever emergency strikes.
Any man who thinks that this is only the work of a woman is just that; a man. A gentleman knows how to sew a button on, in a matter of minutes and whenever emergency strikes.
9. PLAY POKER
A classic game of poker is always an indulgence, so know how to play it well.
A classic game of poker is always an indulgence, so know how to play it well.
10. CHOOSE THE RIGHT WINE
We don’t mean just red or white, we’re talking knowledge here – when faced with a wine list the length of the Nile, a gentleman should know what to pick with ease and confidence. (N.B – don’t be a wine-snob, no one likes a wine snob)
We don’t mean just red or white, we’re talking knowledge here – when faced with a wine list the length of the Nile, a gentleman should know what to pick with ease and confidence. (N.B – don’t be a wine-snob, no one likes a wine snob)
11. START A FIRE
A cold winter evening simply begs for a warm fire, a glass of whiskey and a good book, or indeed a beautiful woman by your side, so if you don’t know how to start a fire…get to know.
A cold winter evening simply begs for a warm fire, a glass of whiskey and a good book, or indeed a beautiful woman by your side, so if you don’t know how to start a fire…get to know.
12. COOK A SIGNATURE MEAL
Even if it’s just spaghetti bolognese with a ‘secret’ ingredient, every man must have at least one dish that’s theirs.
Even if it’s just spaghetti bolognese with a ‘secret’ ingredient, every man must have at least one dish that’s theirs.
13. WRITE A REAL LETTER
Forget social media or emails, a true gentleman understands the importance of a real letter with paper and a fountain pen. He writes thank-you letters within the week, pens the odd letter to elderly relatives and maybe even sends the occasional love letter.
Forget social media or emails, a true gentleman understands the importance of a real letter with paper and a fountain pen. He writes thank-you letters within the week, pens the odd letter to elderly relatives and maybe even sends the occasional love letter.
14. RISE ABOVE THE ANTAGONIST
A gentleman is not hot-headed or aggressive, but can rise above insults and walk away from a fight with his head held high.
A gentleman is not hot-headed or aggressive, but can rise above insults and walk away from a fight with his head held high.
15. CARVE
No, not on skis, (although come to think of it a gentleman should probably know how to do this too), we mean carve the roast – to stand at the head of the table and not make a total muck-up of the meal ahead.
No, not on skis, (although come to think of it a gentleman should probably know how to do this too), we mean carve the roast – to stand at the head of the table and not make a total muck-up of the meal ahead.
16. ACCEPT ADVICE
This applies to all men, but a gentleman can take advice no matter how much he may not want to hear it.
This applies to all men, but a gentleman can take advice no matter how much he may not want to hear it.
17. LIVE WITHIN HIS MEANS
A gentleman can budget, save and is careful with his money. He is not vulgar, careless or unnecessarily extravagant.
A gentleman can budget, save and is careful with his money. He is not vulgar, careless or unnecessarily extravagant.
18. GIVE A COMPLIMENT
Not in a sleazy way and not just for the sake of it, but in a genuine, charming and honest way that has no ulterior motive but to flatter the woman it is aimed at.
Not in a sleazy way and not just for the sake of it, but in a genuine, charming and honest way that has no ulterior motive but to flatter the woman it is aimed at.
19. BUY THE RIGHT GIFT
From knowing what flowers to buy for what occasion, to finding the perfect house gift, a gentleman knows how to buy the right gift. And if he doesn’t know how to, he knows where to go for help.
From knowing what flowers to buy for what occasion, to finding the perfect house gift, a gentleman knows how to buy the right gift. And if he doesn’t know how to, he knows where to go for help.
20. IRON A SHIRT
A simple one and one that every boy should be taught at a young age,but if you still don’t know then might we suggest you go back to your parents this weekend and learn!
A simple one and one that every boy should be taught at a young age,but if you still don’t know then might we suggest you go back to your parents this weekend and learn!