The six golden rules to become a perfect gentleman

Are you the perfect modern gentleman?

Do you think you could be more debonair or are you suave enough?

Are you more stocks and bonds than James Bond?

There is now a six-step guide to being the ultimate modern man from The School of Life and blogger entrepreneur, Matthew Zorpas and who has teamed up with Mini and their new Clubman.

The first golden rule is a sensitive one - be well groomed not over-preened.

Clearly hygiene is important and nobody is going to consider a date fastidious because they have brushed their teeth or removed excess ear hair.

However, too much aftershave, luminous white teeth and suspiciously neat eyebrows are a step too far.

Fashion is also important and that starts with your shopping. The well dressed man looks for timeless items that suit their body.

It may hurt but those aiming to earn the prestigious gentleman accolade may have to throw out the jean shorts and mirrored sunglasses.

One of the things that is most likely to stop you being the perfect modern man is other people and their annoying habit of talking.

The aspiring gentleman should allow himself a half hour of alone time every day.

This can also serve to quell rows - in the middle of a squabble raise your finger to the other person's lips and explain that their babbling is eating into your solo contemplation time.

Being sporty can also be another string to a gentleman's bow.

As well as improving fitness and making body parts less wobbly the psychology of strategy, fair play and team work can be applied to other scenarios.

Modern man should also be able to cook a least one amazing signature dish and be king of the kitchen - commandeering the barbecue tongs is no longer enough.

Here is the full guide for all the list of rules

As a culinary genius you also get the pleasure of bursting into the kitchen when someone else is cooking and tutting at their shabby efforts, sprinkling an imperceptible amount of salt and herbs into their pan until you eventually drive them out of your domain completely.

Learning something new is also a top tip.

Maybe take a tango class or book a random trip to expand your horizons.

Imagine how good you will feel when a pal calls up to invite you to the pub and you get to say "sorry, I'm learning to make pasta... in Italy".

You will be able to feel the jealousy and grudging admiration down the phone.

This guide was put together by experts including therapists and authors from The School of Life and Mini Clubman.

Matthew Zorpas, Mini Clubman ambassador and founder of The Gentleman Blogger, said: "We wanted to show men that it’s not about being perfect, all the time.

"By following a few simple rules, they have the ability to be a modern gentleman by learning how to create their own sense of style and feel comfortable in their own skin whilst continuing to focus on success.”

This study comes after a list of 39 rules to being a gentleman were compiled by Country Life.

These six steps are:

1 - Be well groomed, not over-preened

2 - Combine style with sustainability

3 - Take a moment

4 - Practice your own sports psychology

5 - Learn a signature dish

6 - Never stop learning