The Most Refined Gentleman on Skadi Forum

[Thorburn]

Thanks for all the nominations.

Please vote in this poll.

rusalka was so kind to volunteer to compile the poll list (thanks for that .)

It is ordered
a. by the number of nominations a person received, and
b. alphabetically.

gen·tle·man
n.
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.
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 Used as a form of address for a group of men.
6. A manservant; a valet.

Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.


gentleman
\Gen"tle*man\, n.; pl. Gentlemen. [OE. gentilman nobleman; gentil noble + man man; cf. F. gentilhomme.]
1. A man well born; one of good family; one above the condition of a yeoman.
2. One of gentle or refined manners; a well-bred man.
3. (Her.) One who bears arms, but has no title.
4. The servant of a man of rank.
The count's gentleman, one Cesario. --Shak.
5. A man, irrespective of condition; -- used esp. in the plural (= citizens; people), in addressing men in popular assemblies, etc.

Note: In Great Britain, the term gentleman is applied in a limited sense to those having coats of arms, but who are without a title, and, in this sense, gentlemen hold a middle rank between the nobility and yeomanry. In a more extended sense, it includes every man above the rank of yeoman, comprehending the nobility. In the United States, the term is applied to men of education and good breeding of every occupation.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.


Main Entry: gen-tle-man
Pronunciation: 'jen-t&l-m&n, 'je-n&l-, in rapid speech also 'jen-t&-m&n, 'je-n&-
Function: noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English gentilman
1 a : a man of noble or gentle birth
b : a man belonging to the landed gentry
c (1) : a man who combines gentle birth or rank with chivalrous qualities
(2) : a man whose conduct conforms to a high standard of propriety or correct behavior
d (1) : a man of independent means who does not engage in any occupation or profession for gain
(2) : a man who does not engage in a menial occupation or in manual labor for gain
2 : VALET -- often used in the phrase gentleman's gentleman
3 : a man of any social class or condition -- often used in a courteous reference <show this gentleman to a seat> or usually in the plural in address <ladies and gentlemen>

Source: Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

See also:
Skadi Forum Thread What makes a gentleman a gentleman?

[Scoob]

I think a gentleman is mainly a male that is socially acceptable to women - despite the definitions above.

I think the esteem for aristocratic values is silly and frivolous - especially if one considers how real European aristocrats really behave(d). Ever heard of prima noctem? Look it up some time. Not to mention: the old European aristocracy got their power primarily through military service/conquest - and later sometimes through money.

Any man that is a gentleman all of the time is a wimp. But it is true that great composure etc is more often possessed by those of great power - because they can afford to express themselves politely (they carry big sticks - or rather, they have other people who carry big sticks).

But I think this subject casts an interesting light on human gender relations, and the role of different "types" within society. Both Agrippa's posts on body typologies and Pushkin's misogynistic posts have opened my eyes to this.

I've said it elsewhere, but I think females are a kind of cement or foundation that holds Homo sapiens sapiens together - they are more communal, emotionally expressive and supportive, friendly, more conservative, etc. But if all humans (regardless of gender) were of this type, we would not be modern humans interacting on computers, etc.

Note that technology (cars, gizmos, etc) is all considered "men's stuff" - little boys play with these things, and adult men love them. Women are more family and socially focused, from childhood up.

Basically, a "gentleman" is a man who treats women with a sort of gentle respect - and treats her as an imbecile (I'm using the old Roman definition of this word - and under Roman law, women were imbeciles, I believe). Treating her like a tender, foolish, silly yet beautiful and delicious thing that should be kissed and caressed, cared for, etc. I see nothing wrong with this, but I think we need to look at these things from all angles under a bright light - not in romantic, one-sided ways such as this thread tends to encourage.

[cosmocreator]

Doesn't the ordering of nominations already predict the outcome of the poll?

[Taras Bulba]

I'll repeat my viewpoint.


http://www.forums.skadi.net/showthread.php?t=8736

Someone who lives by the eternal ethics of chivalry and honor. He's generous to others; helps those in need. Devoted to his family, peers, nation, and God. Be prepared to defend his honour, the honour of others, and the honour of his folk.

I voted for Milesian, sciath, Suomut, Vojvoda, AWAR, bocian, and Phlegethon.

[rusalka]

Doesn't the ordering of nominations already predict the outcome of the poll?

Ah, but these are anonymous this time so we thought people would be more honest with their choices. Maybe exclude some, include some others. You never know.

[Taras Bulba]

Hmmmn.....only 2 votes. Wonder who voted for me.

[Tommy Vercetti]

I vote Demigorgona

[Frans_Jozef]

I wont make a secret of my vote, my choice was based on reciprocity,people who either have earned my respect and consideration, old buddies, a former sworn adversary of mine whom I am glad to know better now(even if to his great desperation he has to cope with my flares of male's PMS ), great collegues who though we dont maintain a frequent contact show nobility of the soul and make by thier very personality some great assets to this Forum(although that doesn't mean I always have to concur with their viewpoints....especially when they're Mediterranists ) :

Dalonord, Gladstone, Milesian, Njord, Sciath, Suomot, Awar, Gesta Bellica, Loki, Nordgau, Agrippa, Cosmo, Italia_Ariana, Volksdeutscher, Vojvoda, Solar Wolff,
Galvez, Johnny Reb,Louky,
Nordhammer,
Edric,
Triglav...

To my great shame and dismal I forgot to choose Kriegsmachine, alas, with his new nickname I got confused and didn't make the association....but he deserves to me mentioned in this list,

Soil.

[rusalka]

Hmmmn.....only 2 votes. Wonder who voted for me.

You got one of my votes if you have to know.

[Taras Bulba]

You got one of my votes if you have to know.

Why thank you! Too bad I can't give you any rep points at the time being(who actually invented the system for that anyways?)