Recently I received this question: “What about cowboys? Cowboys are gentlemen, too.”
This is one of those “loaded” type questions. For one thing, I would hate to answer in such a way that I insult a cowboy, only to end up getting shot by an irate, probably Texan, cowboy. For another, their style of dress is truly of another culture—I may as well be giving advice on the manner of dress and etiquette of the Australian Aborigine. And for a third thing, and most important, my father asked this question, he’s a Texan, may have a gun, and he’s an Australian Aborigine.
No, wait! Scratch that last part. I meant he’s sort of like a cowboy. So how on earth does one answer such a question? Tell the truth I guess—cowboys appreciate the truth, I think.
So, the truth: Being a cowboy, or a Texan, or an Aborigine, does not rule out being a gentleman, like being a pirate would. What really differs here is culture. What's appropriate in London may be totally different on a ranch, or city out in the West, or with a group of Aborigines in the Outback. But the point is all cultures have their accepted etiquette and appropriate style of dress. It’s apples and kiwis*: Both great fruit, but kiwi is just not my cup of tea; ditto for Western, Cowboy-type style: bolo ties, cowboy boots, cowboy hats, definitely not for me—but they are for a gentleman cowboy or Aborigine.
As for etiquette, cowboys developed a rather Victorian/chivalric code, and put a good deal of emphasis on honesty. "One has one's honor," I think a cowboy would say. In essence, a cowboy's etiquette is a gentleman's etiquette, wrapped up in a somewhat different sartorial package.
So--a cowboy gentlemen? Indubitably.
There is one lingering question--would cowboys rather drink tequila/a Margarita, or a Martini? I fear it's the former. Well, no gentleman is perfect I suppose, strictly speaking.
*No actual cowboys, Aborigines, Texans or kiwis were hurt in the writing of this post.
3 comments:
This is, indeed, a matter of long-term debate. The truth is, if you asked a cowboy if he were a gentleman he'd likely tell you know...gentleman are those sissy boys in silly suits from the city. Cowboys took what they liked of gentleman and made it their own...in true rebellious cowboy form. I would hesitate to compare the two, being such different breeds. Yet, whatever breed it may be, a dog is a dog is a dog. I think cowboys are men among men...and so are gentlemen. And in that, at least, there is commonality.
I very much appreciate your quick response to my question "What about cowboys". I particularly appreciate your comments about cowboys' honesty, appreciation for being truthful and as men of honor. This is of course very much related to well dressed gentlemen. I'm not about the Kiwis and Aborigine though but I think you have carefully and diplomatically avoided insulting us cowboys which almost, not quite, but almost guarantees that you won't be shot by a cowboy, not anytime soon anyway. A real cowboy will always defend his honor of course so you are slightly on the edge. I'm not sure if you are on the edge of insanity or disaster, but you did a good job tying in honor and truth with gentlemanly dress. Indeed cowboys dress differently from much of the world, nevertheless they do have a high regard for being a gentleman and they have little tolerance for those who are not, therein lies the reason for their guns being on standby at all times. Well, you didn't hurt my feelings anyway. Now, on to the dress of a cowboy: First and foremost, the dress of a gentleman is of less important than perhaps with most "gentlemen" since cowboys always are gentlemen first, and gentle dressers second. You wisely left yourself off the hook with regard to specific dress, but not very far away from the sharks. Perhaps you could address the "dress" of the gentleman cowboy at some point and they do indeed have gentlemanly dress. I could tell you I suppose what the dress of a cowboy is but I think perhaps others may respond to this post with the answer. In the meantime though, it would help if you investigated (although I'm sure you already have) the clothing found in western wear. One of the outstanding features you will find is that there is much fine leather work, silver work, and outstanding cloth used in the making of the "perfect dress" for the "perfect gentleman'. Indeed, the well dressed cowboy is a work of art in the pure sense of the word. The cowboy culture is far different form say the English, or Aborigine,it is pure and well refined and well defined and far ahead of all the "dress" of other gentlemen since it dynamically portrays what a real gentleman is and without a facade and with no false pretense.
In response to Dawson, I cannot disagree. Cowboy gentlemen have taken the best of the best. And there is nothing abhorrent abbout commonality. It is in fact a treasure. A gentleman's dress is not one of onership it is one of statement. Oh, not a statement of pride, real gentleman have no need to be concerned with that. A gentleman's dress is a statement of integrity. And thus, as Dawson pointed out, there can be commonality. And a gentleman and is dress is a gentleman and his dress, a statement of himself, individually and collectively. The well dressed gentleman cowboy is quite in tune with the well dressed gentlman Englishman, or aborigine, or Frenchman etc. So what is the well dressed gentleman. Is it a well dressed gentleman or is it a concept? I think in concept and in application a well dressed gentleman is one whose dress reveals the the true, the real man, the real gentleman. Thus the well dressed gentleman has no boundaries in terms of culture or heritage, only in integrity and gentlemanly conduct. Thank you Dawson, you are a most reasonable gentleman.
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