A true gentleman, espoused by Leonardo DiCaprio’s exceptional performance in Baz Luhrmann’s film adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s literary masterpiece, there’s a lot we can learn from Jay Gatsby.
1. A smile is everything
“He had one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life.”
A gentleman puts others at ease, and Gatsby’s reassuring smile gives comfort and security to those he meets. A simple smile can profoundly affect your influence on others.
![Screen Shot 2014-08-20 at 14.52.40](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/vxy259ii/production/9164fb5f1cc262c9bbbf131c1bcec2b6d09bf589-660x370.jpg?auto=format&fit=max&q=75&w=648)
2. There’s nothing like a collared shirt
“It makes me sad because I’ve never seen such — such beautiful shirts before.”
Daisy, Gatsby’s love interest, tries to conceal her true feelings about him by commenting on Gatsby’s enviable collection of shirts . We think her reaction’s very understandable.
![Screen Shot 2014-08-20 at 15.10.17](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/vxy259ii/production/dac2803557d9162f34aa9955cb56b809bdd5f790-660x472.jpg?auto=format&fit=max&q=75&w=648)
3. Never stop being ambitious
“My life has got to be like this. It’s got to keep going up.”
There’s nothing more noble than a bit of self-improvement, and a gentleman should always aspire to bigger and better things. Don’t settle for your current lifestyle. Always aim higher.
![Screen Shot 2014-08-20 at 15.28.26](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/vxy259ii/production/1cbad2f63022afb3d3b1be7cb9f99e4fefa44c6b-660x456.jpg?auto=format&fit=max&q=75&w=648)
4. Communicate with your eyes
“The way he looked at her is the way that all girls want to be looked at.”
A lot can be said between two people without a single word being uttered. If you’ve got something meaningful to say, why fumble with words when your eyes will deliver the same message flawlessly?
![Screen Shot 2014-08-20 at 15.38.38](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/vxy259ii/production/175e1c2d865f6a21c2b26343a37120509d7aa88f-660x423.jpg?auto=format&fit=max&q=75&w=648)
5. Manage your reputation
“One time he killed a man who had found out that he was nephew to von Hindenburg and second cousin to the devil”
Gatsby fails to manage his reputation well, leading to a plethora of uncontrollable and unflattering rumours about his past. As his reputation is one of the most important facets of a gentleman’s persona, cultivating a favourable one will stand you in excellent stead.
![GreatGatsby2012trlr_032Pyxurz](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/vxy259ii/production/fe771eb15e879a0a0398c2e11d061500618beb93-660x438.jpg?auto=format&fit=max&q=75&w=648)
![Become a Gentleman’s Journal Member?](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/vxy259ii/production/9642f9905994d15af0f4511fd2ab3260c67f56fa-4096x3901.jpg?rect=0,415,4096,3072&w=400&h=300&q=80&auto=format)
Become a Gentleman’s Journal Member?
Like the Gentleman’s Journal? Why not join the Clubhouse, a special kind of private club where members receive offers and experiences from hand-picked, premium brands. You will also receive invites to exclusive events, the quarterly print magazine delivered directly to your door and your own membership card.