A pity that this topic has taken a bit of a side-track.
Good manners and gentlemanly behaviour are recognized by long term actions, not by a single post or response. Neither are they defined by extolling any particular virtue(s), nor by a tag-line. RecoilRob posted a comment, politely, neutrally and gave an explanation. In my view what he said is legally correct (certainly on this side of the Pond) and I did not see it as an attack on anyone. It was just another bit of the advice/learning that happens on this board, where posters throw out (or lob in?) the occasional remark for what it’s worth. Often we learn from them.
I have stepped back from buying something when I saw the item meant more to a colleague than to me. Quite legal, because I was not asked to do so. Had I been asked, it would have said much about the colleague, any my subsequent action would have said the same about me.
My maiden great-aunt, who died aged 102 towards the end of the last century, was a marvellous old lady. She once passed the comment “He is such a gentleman: he would even use a butterknife when dining alone.” Sad that today few would recognize, let alone use, a butterknife.
The gentlemen on this board are recoginzed as such by the content of their posts, and their answers. Tweeds and antique or “name” guns a gentleman do not make.
K.
