Irritating public habits of men

Grooming for men: By Hazel Muteesa

One only needs to take a quick glance around to notice the few true gentlemen remaining among us. A gentleman is much appreciated and being gentlemanly has always been a noble thing. One thing that is common among most men today is the lack of good taste and etiquette.

Recently, I used public transport to Entebbe. If you have not been to the taxi park for a while, you will find the experience cumbersome and annoying. It is so disorganised and only the taxi operators understand how it runs.

While I was waiting for the taxi to fill, a young man sat next to me. His legs occupied part of my space and this made me uncomfortable because he had enough space in front of him. I could not figure out why he had to spread his legs in that manner.

There was no way I would travel all the way to Entebbe without asking him to sit well.

He is not the only man I have seen sitting in that manner. I always ask myself why most men spread out their legs in an inappropriate manner, without minding of the person next to them?

Your deportment and posture is important for you in a business and social setting. By deportment, I mean the manner of carrying and conducting oneself.

It is about the correct handshake, standing and sitting with composure and style, the elegant way to enter a room, projecting a positive image and walking with poise and confidence.

Always stand tall, stomach in, with chin parallel to the ground.

Eyes should look straight ahead, not on the floor.

Take confident strides-not too long, not too short.

Walking should look elegant and effortless.

Sit elegantly, do not spread out your legs. When mounting the stairs, take one step at a time, not three.Do not run up and down the stairs, most especially at office, it is not a gentleman like behaviour.

When descending or climbing the stairs while in company of a lady, be a gentleman and let her walk next to the banister for safety reasons, same thing goes when you are out taking a stroll together.

If you are conscious about your appearance and having a good sense of style, but lack good deportment and posture, it is high time you incorporate these two items in your daily grooming to get the whole package right.

The writer is an image consultant