
I'm showing a picture of my husband, Mel, under this title because Mel is a true gentleman. He respects those around him, he treats me with kindness in public and private, and he treats his elders with great care and compassion. When we were dating, he always respected his own set of strict boundaries and made me feel cherished as a woman, not objectified.
I've read recently that in the South, people of both sexes are expected to respect their elders by the use of Mr., Mrs., ma'am, sir, etc. I was raised in California, so what would I know? And yet I do attempt to treat others with respect and kindness.
Do you have a story to tell about a specific time you learned the value of being a lady or a gentleman? To respect the dignity of others? My hardest lessons came in high school, when those who did not quite fit in, who looked different, who didn't have enough money for food, much less soap and shampoo and deodorant, were disrespected by others. I look back at those days now and wish I had done more to show special kindness to those who received less. How about you? Did you ever wish you had done better, treated someone else the way you would have wanted to be treated? It's difficult to be charming ALL the time.
The husband of a dear friend of mine proved himself to be a man of distinction when several of us women stayed together in a hotel suite for a few days. Our friend's husband wanted to join her for one night, and he made sure he had our permission to do so. Then he made sure the door between their room and the rest of the suite remained locked when his wife was not with us. He showed us respect, protected our privacy and made us feel safe.
Would you please share with us some qualities you believe are important in today's society? We could always stand to learn more ways to show kindness.
Labels: gentlemen, kindness, respect