Be Prepared

This week's post is all about feeling rejected in efforts to be a gentleman. First off though, let me say that having tea with a lady friend of mine was a very successful expidition. Though it required a lot of work, it was well worth it.

Now, for the second part of this post: be prepared for harsh truths. As a gentleman, you do a lot of behind the scenes work, things that might get in the way of your everyday life. You have to go buy flowers at the right time. You've got work to get money for those flowers. You've got to do some driving to take your ladies to places or to go entertain them (not to mention gas prices these days). You've got to take the time to write letters, to set up having tea, to iron outfits and look your best, to get your sleep. There are also other things you have to do while she's around: open doors, keep conversation going, make sure she's comfortable, watch what you say so you don't insult her or make a fool of yourself. There are countless things. But if you ever ask your lady friend if she thinks you have reached gentlemanhood yet, be prepared for her to say you're only halfway there, and learn that you need to take this in stride and not be upset by it. She doesn't see everything you do.

Being a gentleman is difficult. I didn't exactly know what I was getting myself into. Now, with work and school starting soon, I'm realizing I'm running out of time. I realized this yesterday while talking to one of my lady friends. She's the one I've been spending most of my time with and have done the most for since I dote on her so. I asked her if she thought I was a gentleman yet, and she said I was halfway there. At first, I thought there might be something I could do to finish the second half I wasn't getting. I asked her what she thought I should do, so in two words, her advice. She said that we didn't go to enough places, didn't do enough together.

This information depressed me very much, though I tried to hide it. As it turns out (and I'm keeping a schedule now to keep myself on track with my life), I don't have that kind of time. I don't have time to take her to do lots of things anymore. I was very upset with her for saying I was only halfway there, and I had to remind myself to keep calm. I had told her not to make this easy on me, and she hadn't done so, just like I asked. So I had nothing to be upset with her about.

So, since my goal is not accomplished this summer, I'm going to have to take it to college with me. This means new test subjects, and starting all over again. I'm not giving up here, as it's still my duty to be a proper gentleman, but I am facing the fact that it will not be accomplished here.

So, there is till hope. I have errands to attend to now, including inviting a different lady friend (who I haven't done anything with at all yet) to tea on Sunday. Till then.