Quiet_Comparison_872

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit (OP)

I must admit, the UK does seem to have a noticeable amount of decline and British empire syndrome. I know it has some good parts but tbh I don't see whats so brilliant about the modern generic Britain. Maybe it's just me and my personal tastes but it felt so generic and meh' that I don't see why there is such pride left for a country that not only isn't the power it was but it also just not that special anymore. Sure there are nice things to do in the UK but it's really lost a lot of the elements that made is special even just in terms of regional differences and habits. It's like most places are copies of Slough from the Office. Like, I don't get the whole deal being queuing being cultural significant.

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit (OP)

Going off of that, what is with all the women wearing the obvious fake spray on tan. I get being actually tanned and wearing make up but who is the spray on tan for and why?

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit (OP)

I suppose you need to know where to look for it. Sort of like a Sunday roast. To my understanding at one point it was everywhere but no you often need to look for places that serve a proper one.

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit (OP)

FWIW, I found London and other cities in the UK (at least where I visited) to actually be pretty clean. Still at least in London, it was sort of the the Office in the sense that felt sort of generic southern English. It wasn't bad but it wasn't special either if that makes sense.

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit (OP)

I mean that's the problem. There are too damn many hoo-ray Henry's left and almost no gentlemen left. Similarly, there are plenty of posh wankers around but it really wasn't something I was exactly excited to see.

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit (OP)

So I knew that most of Britain wasn't actually like. I'm quite aware of the True Brexit Geezer meme. I just thought I'd see a remnant of what was left of that aspect of British culture. FWIW, I did actually see a good number of Land Rovers and few Minis in Hampstead.

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit (OP)

>They definitely exist, I've met some, but don't have one as a friend as I'm far too working class for them to befriend me. As a working class backpacker I don't think I was ever likely to encounter them in hindsight either.

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit (OP)

FWIW, you can probably impress us non-Brits with just using a more refined version of your actually voice if you put up the right airs and and manners. Most of us would still count it.

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit (OP)

Will say the UK can be a nice place to visit but especially in London you don't really get to see the local culture without going notably outside central London or at least anywhere near the areas where the major sights are. The people I personally met were a mixed bag. Some were good, some I couldn't care less for. So literally like everywhere else.

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit (OP)

London but mainly the central and touristy parts such as Notting Hill, Covent Garden, Hampstead, Marlybone, Soho, the City. I also went to Oxford, Edinburgh, Stirling, Bath and York. York and Bath were cool in the sense that while still touristy, I felt like I actually got to see some the locals there working the shops and restaurants. They were really walkable and nice to visit.

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit (OP)

In your friend's defence. I too would be horrified if I saw that within 15 minutes of getting to Paris. I've seen some rough areas in my lifetime but I can't say I've seen that, much less near a touristy area.

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit (OP)

I will give you that. Your actors are usually very good! Also plenty fit but still talented. I don't think the Rock could've had the same acting career if he was in the British film and TV industry LOL.

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit (OP)

Most certainly, especially as a history nerd like myself I'd say I'm a more familiar with some of the more dated aspects of British culture. I hate to say it but some of Britain seemed closer to the True Brexit geezer meme than the dated ideas of things like an old fashioned British gentleman and cheery cockneys (which themselves weren't nearly reflective of the whole country).

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit (OP)

Well now it'd probably have far less heroin and far more fentanyl and meth. Also, the accents would suck and I don't want a Canadian version of Ewan MacGregor. I want the real deal!

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit (OP)

Yeah, I'd say it's very much a curated image. Sort of like how Canadians are portrayed as nice but we're quite often just passive aggressive jerks who always compare ourselves to the US to feel better about ourselves. All countries typically promote the more respectable/noteworthy parts of their culture. Could also be that decades of British media result in a dated version of what Britain actually is, especially if you're a history nerd like me which already makes you prone to having a more dated view of whatever country you're interested in.

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit (OP)

As a Canadian, I refuse to visit Vancouver because of stuff like that. My own city has plenty of junkies and isn't as exorbitantly expensive. Not sure why people still think it's a good city but to each their own.

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit (OP)

As a Canadian I wish to sincerely apologize to you for the severe lack of apologies and lumber jacks. You can actually still find lumberjacks but you have go to the small forestry towns in the middle of nowhere. Even in WW1 that was something of an unrealistic stereotype of us all being lumber jacks and frontiersmen. They do still exist though, only outside of the major cities. If you see someone wearing black and red plaid in a major city then it's just a fashion choice. Did you at least get try real maple syrup? That stuff is great on good pancakes!!

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit (OP)

Ain't that the truth. I watch some UK YouTubers with 'commoner' accents so it wasn't like I hadn't heard them before but hearing them irl was a different experience for some reason (probably a stupid one at that). I knew finding something even close to the quintessential 'English gentleman' would be pretty rare. TBH the UK does have a lot of nice things to visit but as a tired backpacker it got to a point where I was just like "oh this looks exactly like it did in the pictures".

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit (OP)

I believe I'm living in the past LOL 😂. I guess the term gentleman, at least when referring to a mixture of speech, good manners, and respectable conduct was never that common. Hence, why being called a gentleman is typically still a positive thing.

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit (OP)

>The remaining small percentage tend to be the gentlemen. I think that's it! I know even during the days of empire, the foreign perception of Brits (even the upper class), even the upper class weren't actually that flattering a lot of the time. Maybe it's why the gentleman as a archetype is so special, because it was never that normal to actually see.

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit (OP)

Do they all wear white dress shirts, conservative patterned but nice ties and two piece suits that are either dark blue or dark grey? I think I saw a decent amount of them at a pub near the City once.

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit (OP)

Probably doesn't help that even in British media, it often involves actors who are just very good at delivering their lines and most people don't have such a good speaking voice.

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit (OP)

I suppose it's normal if you live in a rough enough area. Canadian cities have plenty of equivalents to Trainspotters without the Scottish accents if you look in the right areas LOL.

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit (OP)

Thanks! That would make a lot of sense. I suppose club land in London would also be home to some of them too. FWIW, I'd say as a non-Brit, our idea of a gentleman isn't just the social status and posh accent so much as a good voice with a refined pattern of speech and good manners and honourable personal conduct. It's a bit ethereal in a certain sense.

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit (OP)

Thanks! That would make a lot of sense. I suppose club land in London would also be home to some of them too. I would add that while I was visiting Oxford that I certainly heard some posh accents but I wouldn't call them particularly refined if that makes sense, at least for a North American ear. The one I heard just seemed like rich kids with too much money. Perhaps it's also that the really refined voices I've associated with the 'English gentleman' were either from actors who are obviously great at articulating their lines or well known public figures who had public speaking down to an art.

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit (OP)

I guess cultural propaganda isn't the right term; at least not intentional propaganda. Cultural influence and the dominance of certain depictions of British society. Sort of like how Hollywood often depicts an American 'middle class' family as living in a nice two story detached house and the teenagers have cars. It is a thing but it most Americans never lived like that.

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit (OP)

So it's my understanding that the Americans though of Dill as 'English gentleman' even though you're 100% right; he was anglo-Irish! However, I don't think the Americans really picked up on that a whole lot or frankly even cared that much. I flip flop because the term used abroad is typically 'English gentleman' but you're right it should really be British gentleman, not purely English. I'd imagine, it's less common now and is more of a remnant from when wearing a tie a jacket everywhere was considered standard attire.

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit (OP)

I think so, or maybe a bit more refined/upper class but I think we're on to the same thing. Honestly, part of it really just is having a nice voice. At least in terms of what I was thinking of. As a Canadian, I'd say from outside of the UK, the accent doesn't necessarily need to be an upper class one so much as a refined version of whatever accent the individual has if that makes sense. Then again us foreigners can't really pick up on accents as well as the locals can obviously. Part of it just the manners too. IE being friendly but reserved and not coming off like a stereotypical American car salesman. The notion of an English gentleman outside of the UK seems to be notably different than in the UK itself. >I reckon there probably are a few about but in my experience most private school educated blokes are arseholes Oh yeah! FWIW, I've seen a lot of replies about it being mostly private school educated blokes but I think as a foreigner our perception isn't quite that alone. It certainly helps but if you're a jerk or dull then you don't really count, at least for non-Brits.

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments

Is the 'English gentleman' actually a thing?

Posted by Quiet_Comparison_872@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 351 comments