What Is A Gentleman?

Dear All, There’s always lots of questions and confusion about the traits of a modern gentleman. Some of my favorites truths are: A gentleman -

1) always carries cash (think Woody Harrelson)

2) always goes out of his way to show chivalry is alive. Good manners, good morals, holds himself to a higher standard (think Knights Templar)

3) charismatic blend of traditional values, morals, and manners with contemporary norms (JFK and Bono)

4) doesn’t gossip, always discreet (a confidant)

5) insatiable thirst for knowledge, and contribution to the greater good (Socrates)

6) kindness of heart, realist about other’s hearts (Tom Hanks, Matt McConaughey)

7) confidence without arrogance (Bill Gates. NOT Elon Musk)

8) knows when to hold them, when to fold them, when to walk away, and when to fuck ‘em if they can’t take a joke (sorry, personal motto - FEITCTAJ). -SQ

What are your ideal traits for the high standards required to be deemed a gentle person? 

Narcissist or Something Else?

Dear S.Q. I’m tired of idiots calling others narcissist. What’s the accurate term for self-centered assholes?

Dear Tired, Pick something and you’ll find it exists within a range. Red? (On a spectrum) from orange-red to red-violet. Happy? From slight smile to wet-your-pants side-splitter. 

Relationships? survive on 1) balance of give-and-take, AND 2) empathy. On one extreme, someone only gives, and exists on the emotions of others, never developing their own personality -they are called fragile or over-givers. To the other extreme, where someone only takes, and cannot, or will not, feel how others feel - they are called self- centered. 

Self-centered? This category of self-centered people has a very narrow band-width; these are people who only respond when, "it benefits me" or "it's about me." On one extreme are the takers who won’t get in synch with other’s feelings -they are called assholes. On the other extreme are those that ALWAYS take and are INCAPABLE of feeling how others feel -this is the Narcissist. Note: Narcissistic Personality Disorder worldwide is around 1-5%. In true form, a rare, almost mythical entity in the general population, but who thrives in abundance in environments that worship their charisma and inflated accomplishments, like politics, entertainment, sales and marketing, corporate management, and scam artist. -S.Q, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist

Hic Sunt Dracones (Here Be Dragons)

Dear Readers, While writing my book about dating after 50, the topic of sex often came up. To go all the way, so to speak, or just go for companionship. So naturally, elder sex lead to discussions of sex toys, which lead to remote-controlled sex toys for couples while apart, and then the big taboo -sexbots. Now there's a million dollar industry no one talks about. "Sexy.ai was the first, or at least one of the first on-line AI porn generators that as of 2023, allowed paying members ($10 per month) to create a customized AI sexbots that feature in 10 different actions or scenes... Customized bots, wow, an improved version of those days-gone-by crude, plastic life-size, blow-up boy-toys or darling doxies... What can possibly go wrong? Ask the dragons, for they are the keeper of secrets." (page 421). -SQ

Enjoy more startling facts and fiction in Cyber Frogs And Princes: A Sex Manual Of On-Line Dating After 50 by Suze Q on Amazon.

 

 

Predicting the Future

Dear Suze Q, I love my fiancé but he micro-cheats. Not sex, but touching and flirting, in front of me and when I’m not around (according to my friends). We met at work when he was unhappily married. He divorced her for me. My friends say he’ll leave me for someone else, but I’m hopeful it’s not true. 

Dear Dismissive Fiancée, The best indicator of future behavior is… All together now. Repeat with me and Zoltar… “The best indicator of future behavior is past behavior.” -SQ  

Marriage Before You’re Ready

Dear Suze, I’ve been seeing a guy off and on forever. We even lived together for a year before he took a job out of state and didn’t ask me to come along. I was devastated and vowed to be done with him. But, we keep coming back together until something goes wrong. Should I just marry him and make it work?

Dear YoYo, Marrying is a world class stupid idea. After years together, you don’t even know what makes your relationship work or prevent it from repeatedly collapsing, so how could marriage help?  Successful relationships, whether romantic, business, or anything else, requires hard work and neither of you has done squat. -SQ   

One Thousand Thread Count Sheets

Dear S.Q. When I landed my first job and apartment, my mom bought me a 1,000 thread count sheet set with the advice to always use them when I was alone, but only use them with company if I wanted to marry him. My sister gave me a set of black satin sheets with a wink and the sage words to use them if I wanted no hope of a good night’s sleep. I had no idea they were telling the truth. My husband and I spend hours in our Egyptian cotton luxury and it feels like a meadow of clover. The black satin is slippery…

Dear Princess, Many love stories were created under Egyptian cotton sheets. Thread count is a critical factors, but so is weave and construction that regulates sheet breathability to keep the temperature comfortable, softness, and strength and pilling. Remember the Princess who couldn’t sleep on 20 mattresses because it was lumpy due to a single pea? Worry no more, your Highness, get a good mattress, 400+TC sheets, add your Prince, and forever after happiness is guaranteed. No microfiber sheets! -SQ

Job Opening: ACFE

Dear Suze Q. Our daughter doesn’t know where to go after college. Frauds and "influencers" are everywhere. She can’t tell who to trust for career guidance. Most of her friends are also despondent with no job prospects, but tons of brains, computer skills, and enthusiasm. 

Dear Parent, How about being a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), widely considered the “gold standard” in the anti-fraud industry? Seems like this profession will be critical in the future. Association of Certified Fraud Examiners requirements are high, rightfully so, a lot is at stake. Must have high moral character, bachelor’s degree or equivalent, minimum of two years of fraud-related experience, pass an exam in the areas of: financial transactions and fraud schemes; law; investigation; and fraud prevention and deterrence. Then she can wear the white hat and slay dragons! -SQ