Gentlemanliness, Part II

I argued in a recent essay that the standard guidebooks on gentlemanly etiquette mostly miss the point—and that a few prerequisites like energy, attentiveness, and decisiveness will take a man further than knowledge of rules. In this essay I will completely contradict myself and begin to record everything I know about gentlemanly conduct, an extended note-to-self about my own aspirations. As decorum and charm wane, as social life grows duller, colder, and less memorable, this is my plan for defying the trends.