10 Gentleman Etiquettes Every Defence Aspirant Must Know. Being in the armed forces might earn you a great salary, wear top-of-the-line suits, and enjoy the top class facilities, but if you lack basic etiquette, you can never be a true gentleman. In fact, you’ll never be screened in or treated as a gentleman cadet. To put it simply, being a gentleman requires behaving like one too. As, the saying goes, “Fake it, until you make it”, you need to start being like a gentleman cadet in order to not fake it in the SSBs. Here are some tips and guide to gentleman etiquettes:
1. Make a Good First Impression:
First impression is the best impression. Make sure to leave a good first impression on the people you meet for the first time. Be it the assessors in SSB or your mates, people will always remember the first time you met. So, make sure it is a good memory.
2. Help Others:
A good man stands up for himself, a gentleman stands up for others. Offer help to people even if they don’t ask for it. That’s what make an officer different.
3. Be Dedicated:
This is the most important part as being a soldier in the armed forces is marked by his separation from the “normal” life. A “soldier in active service” does not have a 9 to 5 job, or even a long 60- to 70-hour work week. He is a soldier 24 hours a day, every day of the year. His body, his health, his skills, his time—all that he is—belongs to the military. Even when on leave, he is subject to recall at any time, without notice and for any reason. And whenever ordered into dangerous duty, he is expected to put his very life on the line without question or hesitation. This is only possible with a deep dedication from within.
4. Connect With People:
Say hello as you’re walking past a stranger. Let someone go in front of you in the grocery line. Make eye contact. Be approachable. It’s one of the best ways to open yourself up to new people, experiences, and professional connections. To be a gentleman while you’re out, always remember it’s all about them. Be a good listener. Ask questions. Take note of what’s important to them, and they’ll take note of you.
5. Be Clear About What You Want:
Not making a decision is a decision in itself, and it’s not a good one! If you want the respect of others, know what you want and what you don’t, and be clear about it. Knowing how to say no is one of the most well-respected things you can do for yourself.
6. Be You:
Nobody’s looking to hire or date a Ken doll. Our professional and personal lives are now fused together thanks to technology, so drop all that compartmentalizing and be authentic 24/7. Let your guard down and stop trying to look so glossy. Not to sound all hippy, but just be. Don’t try to be like others.
7. Table Manners And Politeness:
This is something that people notice in you subconsciously. Even if you’ve never mastered the continental style of using utensils (left hand, fork; right hand, knife), it doesn’t take any training to not talk with your mouth full or chew with your mouth open. Also use the golden words “Sorry”, “Please” and “Thank You”. Be well dressed and hygienic.
8. Stand For Something:
I encourage you to live according to a set of ethics or principles that guide you in aspects in your lives. The principles are those 15 Officer Like Qualities that every aspirant should abide by. Those principles shouldn’t be governed by gender roles, societal standards, what your parents expect of you, or anything like that. Instead, they should be based on the lessons you have learned during this adventure called life.
9. Knowledge:
Gather some knowledge about the surrounding world. Be up to date with all the current affairs. You don’t want to be noticed as a person who don’t know who the Prime Minister of India is or the person who don’t know what’s facebook!
10. Plan:
Plan your life ahead. Take your own decisions. If you don’t plan for yourself, chances are that you’ll get into some other’s plan. And guess what they’ve planned for you; nothing!
Reach out to me if you have any queries or questions regarding this through my FB link below. Also share this article with your friends on social media so they could also benefit. It’s never too late to start over. If you weren’t happy with yesterday, try something different today. Don’t stay stuck. Do better. Who knows you might be the next officer in the making!
