The Bigger Gentleman: Mr Obama vs Mr Putin

The Russian deputy prime minister recently tweeted a photo comparing Mr Putin and Mr Obama, effectively showing the Russian president as far manlier than his American counterpart. Whilst that may or may not be true, we’ve decided to answer the more important question. Which of the world leaders is the bigger gentleman?

Manliness

Mr Obama kills a fly with his bare hands

In a surprising but rather impressive turn of events during a MSNBC interview, Barack Obama pauses for a moment before raising his hand, utterly engrossed and concentrated on the task at hand. With a short, deft movement, he strikes, pauses, then gracefully returns to conversation, ‘that was pretty impressive, wasn’t it? I got the sucker!’

Mr Putin hugs a polar bear

In perhaps the best of Putin’s animal-themed publicity stunts, despite having reportedly saved a camera crew from an escaped tiger, the Russian premier helped with polar bear research by tranquillising the beast before fitting a tracking collar. There is simply no competition in this case; the Russian is certainly the hardier of the two gentlemen leaders.

Interactions with the fairer sex

Mr Obama prevents his wife’s skirt from blowing in the wind

Ever a charmer with the ladies, as evidenced by his amicable ‘selfie’ with Danish Prime Minister, Helle Thorning-Schmidt, Mr Obama protected the First Lady’s modesty by holding her dress down in a blustering wind. A very gentlemanly act indeed.

Mr Putin scares Angela Merkel with his dog

Mr Putin’s dog, Koni, is almost a political institution herself, having become a symbol of amicable meetings between her owner and other world leaders. In a meeting between Putin and Merkel over energy tensions, the Russian leader brought Koni in, despite the Chancellor’s well-known fear of dogs, leading to the Ms Merkel’s ‘apparent discomfort’. Whilst a potentially shrewd political manoeuvre, we don’t see this as a particularly gentlemanly move.

Watch collection

Mr Obama wears a secret service watch and plastic sports watches

Possibly the most visible watch in the world, owing to Mr Obama’s frequent ‘rolled-up sleeves’ look, the American leader’s timepiece is a Jorg Gray JG6500 ‘Secret Service’ chronograph. Whilst it may be a very exclusive brand, its pales in comparison to Mr Putin’s collection. Obama’s plastic sports watches and his old Tag Heuer complete the rest of his collection; unimpressive to say the least.

Mr Putin owns a $700,000 Collection of Patek Phillippe watches

Putin does not tread lightly when it comes to watches, to which his gargantuan collection is testament. With several beautiful and very impressive timepieces, there is no doubt in this case that Mr Putin trumps Mr Obama with ease. The crown jewel of his collection is a $500,000 ‘peerless masterpiece’ from A Lange & Sohne, with his white gold Patek Phillipe and Aqualungs not quite making the cut. Mr Putin truly is a watch connoisseur, with a collection of which most gentleman can only dream. And dream we do.

Cultural Awareness

Mr Obama hosts The White House Correspondents’ Association roast

The president is a big fan of this annual event, where he usually pokes fun at himself, the press, and anyone else on the world stage. That includes Mr Putin. He shows a great deal of cultural awareness and sensitivity in being able to joke about himself, in a show of humility which many world leaders would do well to replicate.

Mr Putin sang Blueberry Hill at a charity event

This may come as a surprise, but Vladimir Putin showed his softer side during a charity event in St. Peterburg, where he graced crowds with a rendition of Blueberry Hill. He even played the piano. Not the best performance, but a good effort from the Russian president.

Final Score: Mr Obama 2-2 Mr Putin

Although the score remains tied, we’d like to give the victory to Mr Obama. The swipe taken at the American president by Putin’s deputy prime minister on Twitter was hardly humble, and unfortunately has swung our opinion in Mr Obama’s favour. That and his commitment to democracy and the sanctity of human life. But who’s counting.