tGC's Compendium : A modern gent's essentials

Gran Hermano

I'd like this thread to be a compendium of useful tips for the modern gentlemen of Boards.ie. I see it as a place to share advice and also to serve as a reference point.

Before delving into the 'advice' side, it's probably best to define what is a 'gentleman' before deciding what advice is appropriate.

gentleman [ˈdʒɛntəlmən]n pl -men1. a man regarded as having qualities of refinement associated with a good family
2. a man who is cultured, courteous, and well-educated
3. a polite name for a man
4. the personal servant of a gentleman (esp in the phrase gentleman's gentleman)
5. (Historical Terms) Brit History a man of gentle birth, who was entitled to bear arms, ranking above a yeoman in social position
6. (formerly) a euphemistic word for a smugglergentlemanly adj
gentlemanliness n
gentlemanliness n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 6th Edition 2003. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003

gentleman


• noun 1 a courteous or honourable man. 2 a man of good social position, especially one of wealth and leisure. 3 (in polite or formal use) a man.
[SIZE=-1]— DERIVATIVES[/SIZE] gentlemanly [SIZE=-1]adjective[/SIZE].
http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/gentleman?view=uk

Like all such threads it's life or death will revolve around the input of the forum members. Depending on how it evolves it might be worthwhile to have a second separate thread for discussion and debate.

Whilst there are other parts of Boards.ie which may specialise in some of the topics covered here, I see this
as a jumping point to the relevant fora for more in-depth discussion.

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How to tie a tie - the full Windsor Knot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-ms1eo9Aas

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Shaving problems?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzCZTVSacgU

For further shaving advice, look here

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When did you last check yours?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QsP4wB2f6c

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Table manners & dining etiquette

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etmAfOhix4Q

US vs UK dining?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fypq2qhRZnI

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How to cut a cigar for the perfect draw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLMQ8pCCbs4

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Gran Hermano

How to polish shoes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeScJ_Hemno

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Packing tips

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BL9qmFRbd4

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How to open a Champagne bottle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUVCL6Vxn_4

deadhead13

Videojug - A useful Q & A site.

http://www.videojug.com/

Dr Galen

Not to go on too much of style/fashion buzz here, but as a glasses wearer myself, I'm pretty horrified at the state of some of the things I see on peoples faces. The advert is kinda true people.

Glasses are the first thing people will notice about you. They get drawn into looking at them and your eyes. A little attention to them can make you look totally different. For anyone still unsure, believe, girls love a guy in sexy glasses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emK_4Mt8J3s

Sugar Free

I'd like to think any self respecting man can do a decent job of ironing nowadays but sadly I'm proven wrong everyday in work.

Nothing like some crisp sleeve and trouser leg creases

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLJqoKCSbQ4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxGLqw1803E

sam34

Mystik Monkey wrote: »

Not to go on too much of style/fashion buzz here, but as a glasses wearer myself, I'm pretty horrified at the state of some of the things I see on peoples faces. The advert is kinda true people.

Glasses are the first thing people will notice about you. They get drawn into looking at them and your eyes. A little attention to them can make you look totally different. For anyone still unsure, believe, girls love a guy in sexy glasses.

this is very true

nice glasses on men = v sexy

nerds ftw:D

Khannie

sam34 wrote: »

this is very true

nice glasses on men = v sexy

nerds ftw:D

And there I was considering laser surgery.

candlegrease

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJv4Qh7zR3E

Snowie

oh ugh o my oh

you forgot some very important things

first of wheels

you have a choice....



or



or




and of course in the hanger id have a

P51 :cool:



All very important essentials and letting the inner kid out

sam34

Khannie wrote: »

And there I was considering laser surgery.

no no dont do it

nerds are sexy

Red Hand

A banana skin does wonders for polishing one's shoes.

Pacify that unruly cow lick using a light smear of soap on wet fingers, and then gently combing into place.

Place your clothes on the radiator/washing line immediately after their spell in the washing machine to avoid creases and ironing at a later date.

Gran Hermano

How to remove red wine stains

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dcuH2RKksA

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How to open a bra with one hand

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiL25Au51AI

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Dr Galen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZiy5B85jsM

OldGoat

Dueling. A fine tradition that needs to be resurected...with Tazers.

Dueling History

Dr Galen

Lads and Ladies

An essential part of proper business dress is a good pair of shoes. Look after them like this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeScJ_Hemno

Will

Dunno about you guys but if you are going to shake someone's hand don't give me a weak 150 year old man hand shake. We are not made of glass. Nothing worse than shaking someone's hand and it's like grabbing jelly!

Snowie

OldGoat wrote: »

Dueling. A fine tradition that needs to be resurected...with Tazers.

Dueling History

hey og. small question I cant seem to find any were but what sort of tie knot goes with, suits for instance if your wearing a double breasted or a fitted double bottin or a 3 bottined ?

Watching on the site, they show you how many different knots they have from the school boy knot to the shelby but what knot goes with what suit...

Simple reason Im close to buying my first suit and its something I need to know...

OldGoat

Match the knot to the shirt collar.

Shirt collars come in a varity of gapes and lengths, gape being the spread between the sides and length being the measure of the point. Roughly they are variations of 1:Wing collar, 2: the spread collar and 3: the straight collar.
If a collar has a large spread then you would use a large knot (most typically a full windsor). If the collar is a narrow gape then a full windsor will simply not fit so you'd use something like a 'four in hand' knot.

It's very difficult to fit a large knot into a small gape so you don't often see that mistake being made. However one of the most common mistakes made by men is fitting a narrow tie and knot to a spread collar. Best place to spot this is during TV interviews. The presenters invarably have the right knot (thanks to dressers) but the 3ed league politation (or whoever) looks like a stray dog with a bit of string around their necks.

There are four simple knots that will cover every occasion, full windsor, half windsor, four in hand and the bowtie. master those and you are set. There are many many more knots after that if you want to be a bit more flash and you can YouTube them if required.

Heres a link to a good collar primer. Get the shirt then learn the knot.

Snowie

its all becoming more cleerer now cheers man so shirt dictates knots in a tie...
Thanks