How to Live Like a Gentleman

Sam Martin is the best-selling author of How to Mow the Lawn and How to Keep House. He has traveled widely and worked as a tree planter in Canada and as a senior editor at This Old House magazine. Sam is a modern gentleman. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife, Denise, and two sons, Ford and Wren.

• CONTENTS Introduction: Manners matterWhy manners?Self-confidenceSelf-respectAttitude and personal presencePutting the gentle back into the manTop ten qualities to nurture:Competence, Patience, Resolve, Respect, Self-assurance, Spirit, Diplomacy, Tact Chapter one: Stepping OutThe first impression – establishing your presence and introducing yourself to othersThe handshakeThe greetingThe hello kissWalking – how to carry yourself so that you make an impressionMeeting peopleSmall talk and conversation skillsIntroducing people to othersDiction and eloquenceSpeak up – speaking clearly in all situationsCultivating vocabulary without swallowing a dictionaryPublic speakingLessons in listeningCommanding respect through the words you useHow to speak to the authorities: what to say, what not to sayPhone, email and online etiquette Cell phones Call waiting Netiquette Beepers Chapter two: Hygiene, Grooming, and DressPersonal hygiene – You might not need a range of skincare products but you do need to shower every dayHow to shave: what to do if you cut yourselfHow to iron: shirt, trousersYour image – the importance of developing your own styleDressing for respectThe perfect wardrobe for winter, spring, summer, fallEssential stylish items that will last a lifetimeFashion do’s and don’ts from head to toe Chapter three: Eating and DrinkingTable manners Elbows on or off the table How to use a napkin Eating and talking, do they mix? Must you wait until everyone is serves or let your food get cold?Being on time Out on the town: How to order in a restaurant Sending food back Which fork? Glassware – stem or bulb, where to hold? Food masterclass: Sushi, soup, spaghettiSelecting wine Tasting wine How to send it back if it is vinegaryHow to give a toast What to do if you’ve drunk too muchSmoking cigarettes – when it’s cool, when it isn’tSplitting the bill, stress free Being the perfect host: So you’re throwing a party – what now? Supplies to keep around – food, drink, glassware, dishes, cookwareCleanliness is Manliness: Home appearance – interior, hiring a maid serviceHow to set the table for a dinner party – styling tipsYour signature cocktailHow to open a bottle of wine/champagneHow to tie a bowtieSending invitationsWhat to do when you receive a gift you don’t likeWriting thank you notes Being the perfect guest: How to receive an invitation What to take – great gift ideas for all occasions and people of all ages Invited to dinner – how to be the perfect dinner guest Being a great party guestSaying thank you: with cards, email, phone calls Chapter four: The Fairer SexHow to woo with flairHow to ask a woman out on a dateHow to say noHow to hear noHow to pay a complimentDoor etiquette (not only for the woman you are dating)Romantic dinners for twoWhen to call someone you likeWhen to kiss her, when not to kiss herBirth control – a gentleman’s responsibilityHow to behave (or not) in bedThe morning afterRemembering datesPresents – when to give them and what to giveHome attire – living alone, with a womanGetting engaged – asking her father, getting a ringMeeting your girlfriend’s/wife’s parentsPregnancyHow to behave when your wife tells you she’s pregnantHow to behave when your girlfriend tells you she’s pregnant Chapter five: Men at WorkThe job interviewWhat to wear to the officeElevator etiquetteHow to be successful at a business meetingThe holiday party – what to wear, who to talk to, what to sayDating at the office – to do it or not to do itEmail etiquetteBusiness phone etiquetteWork speak and speaking at workGiving the perfect presentationThe business lunch Chapter six: Gentleman at LargeThe bachelor party Best Man etiquette Good sportsmanship How to watch sports well with others How to know when enough beer is enoughHow to drive in traffic to avoid getting road rageWhat to wear on an airplaneHow much luggage to bringHow to act in a foreign countryWhat to do on crowded subway carsTechnology – the etiquette of never switching off from the office, the Playstation, etc.The new etiquette Gym etiquette and more Conclusion