A Guide to Being a Southern Gentleman, According to "Southern Charm"

Need dating advice? Look no further than the gentlemen of "Southern Charm."

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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If you can't get enough of Bravo's reality TV programming—really, is there more to life than the Real Housewives of New Jersey? And Atlanta? And New York?—tune into Southern Charm. The show follows the lives of some young-ish, rich "gentlemen" and their lady friends as they navigate the social circles of that jewel of a southern city, Charleston, South Carolina. As a Charlestonian myself, I was intrigued by the show and felt the need to watch it.

Its main focus is Thomas Ravenel, a man who used to be State Treasurer of South Carolina until he was sentenced to 10 months in prison after pleading guilty to cocaine distribution charges, and his quest for a suitable wife so he could rehabilitate his public life. As he seeks out the love of his life, his friends try to offer their assistance, while causing havoc in their own love lives along the way.

Thomas and company spend a lot of time saying they’re gentlemen and that chivalry isn’t dead in the South. Thus, the following post strives to share with you the valuable lessons these gents have imparted in this first season. Please, get out your personalized stationary. You’re going to want to take notes on how to become the perfect Southern gentleman.

Written by Colleen Thornhill, a proud Charlestonian. She tweets here.

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Don't be too serious.

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Be honest.

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Be athletic.

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Study history.

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Embrace your domestic side.

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Share your wisdom.

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Be poetic.

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Keep your standards high.

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Be daring.

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Commit fully.

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Be resourceful.

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Be worldly.

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Don't be afraid to be fashionable.

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Keep in touch with your mom.

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Be thoughtful.

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Ignore age.

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Be proactive.

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