I love the blog called
The Sartorialist. It's mostly original photography by the blogger, but from time to time there are also missives relating to style and inspiration.
Yesterday's post and
today's post were on the topic of grace and manners-- especially in men. The Sart concluded today's post with:
So women, in the spirit of grace, manner and Valentine's Day, take a moment and share with us men some of the little kindnesses that your man has done for you that made your heart flutter. Us men might learn something and you might gain an even more graceful man, a gentleman.
Editor's Note: For my gay readers, I can only write this as I know it, a man loving a woman. Don't let this keep you from joining the conversation. If you have tiny acts of kindness from a boyfriend to a boyfriend, or girlfriend to a girlfriend, please share with us! Grace is Grace. It doesn't matter who you're lovin', it's how you're lovin'!
I really, really enjoyed reading so many of the comments, but I think my favourite was from a reader with the username Selkie:
Ah, this post and all the comments so far have really made my heart sing! As many people have said here, it's not the grandstanding, textbook romantic gestures (often done more to satisfy the self-image of the doer) but the subtle, unshowy acts of kindness and thoughtfulness which knock you out.
I got together with my new man when we were both on holiday in lovely, snowy Slovenia. As our interest in each other developed, I began to notice how beautiful his manners were - and I don't mean knife-and-fork etiquette but little things which made me feel a few inches taller. Nothing glib or smooth about his behaviour, just a gentleness and grace made me feel I could entrust him with my feelings. So far, my instincts have been proved right.
The only way I can describe him to my friends is, 'he's a *real* gentleman'.