Gentlemen and Ladies, It is an honor to be part of the Society of Ordinary Gentlemen. I hold a deep respect for the principles that bring us together—civility, courtesy, and meaningful conversation. I believe strongly in respect and brotherly love, and I try to live by the values of loyalty, honesty, and integrity. To me, loyalty to those in your inner circle is not just important—it is foundational. I make it a point to surround myself with like-minded individuals who value fairness, equality, and doing what is right. In both my personal and professional life, I consider myself a servant to my community, and I find true purpose in helping others and contributing in a positive way. I look forward to engaging with each of you and being part of this community of shared values. Respectfully, Elliott Jones

Good day gents! My name is Todd and I am very happy to be part of this group. I’ve been through a recent transformation in my life. Widowed in late 2024, taking the next year to regain my health, redefine myself, my style, etc. In that process, I realized I certainly do identify with the image and concept of a modern, ordinary gentleman. I must say that my father was indeed what I would think of as an ordinary gentleman, his demeanor, his manner, his style and self-respect were evident of that. I, like my father, I’m always in pursuit of self improvement. I find keeping company with the type of people I wanna be like help facilitate that. I appreciate @Anthony Buntyn for the invite to join this group. I look forward to sharing and learning with all of you.

This is one of my favorite 007 films, starring Timothy Dalton as James Bond. Often considered an underrated Bond - since he only appeared twice in the franchise - Dalton's Bond exhibited an emotional fitness and debonair intelligence that was reminiscent of George Lazenby. As for the film, I think it has a classic soundtrack - albeit certainly 80s in form - and the script of the film challenges the audience to wrestle how far does one go to do his duty? What motivates one to risk more and to see more that other may not notice - nor care. Dalton's Bond is depicted as someone deeply loyal to his country and to the ethical dimensions of his work. He questions orders when they conflict with his moral compass, modeling the importance of having principles beyond blind obedience. Unlike more cavalier iterations, Dalton’s Bond shows restraint and moral clarity. He doesn’t seduce Kara (aka Bond woman) as a tactic, but genuinely connects with her, treating her with respect and protectiveness. This speaks to his integrity as a gentleman. He embraces sartorial elegance without indulging in excesses or status signaling - unlike every rap or pop artist today (or for the last 50 years). As a warrior and a man, he displays aspirational qualities like courage under fire/pressure, in-the-moment decision making, and he does not resort to physical combat as a default countermeasure when outwitting them will do. Lastly, I think Timothy Dalton's Bond relationship with Kara is more romantic and less transactional than typical Bond flings. He protects her, earns her trust, and doesn’t manipulate her—highlighting that being a gentleman means elevating the women in your life, not using them. He had plenty of occasion to treat Kara as disposal, with more than one opportunity to kill her, and yet he didn't. He held firm to his values and listened to his gut. Unlike the cesspool that contemporary dating scene has devolved into, Dalton's Bond invites us, gentlemen, to aspire to be more and to show our quality.

Good morning, everyone. My name is Jeremy Lunsford. I’m a 36-year-old chef from Tennessee. Outside of the kitchen, I spend much of my time focused on the strategy and discipline found in chess, billiards, and blackjack. I’ve recently found my faith, and I am currently focused on self-discovery and a more intentional way of living. I look forward to the quiet, thoughtful exchange this community offers.

Among the many incarnations of James Bond, Goldfinger stands as both archetype and enduring legend. It is not merely another entry in the long-running 007 franchise; it is the moment when Bond crystallized into the cultural imagination. Sean Connery’s portrayal of the gentleman hero—poised, composed, and always impeccably tailored—embodies a masculine ideal that is as much about self-mastery as it is about bravado. Bond in Goldfinger is a man of intent and patriotism. He is a figure of refinement who wields wit and civility as deftly as his Walther PPK. Whether delivering a dry quip over a champagne glass or staring down Auric Goldfinger across a golf course, Connery projects a form of heroism anchored in restraint. This cultivated demeanor distinguishes him from other cinematic heroes of the era and continues to resonate in an age where irony and cynicism often cheapen heroism. Cinematically, the film is a triumph of style. From the iconic Aston Martin DB5 to Shirley Bassey’s unforgettable title song, Goldfinger set the template for what a Bond film should be: thrilling yet elegant, dangerous yet urbane. (See the Shirley Bassey song below!) The pacing is deliberate, allowing the audience to savor its sophistication rather than being overwhelmed by spectacle. In this way, the film avoids becoming a mere artifact of the 1960s. Bond is NOT an action film alone. This is a premise that escapes detractors of Bond films. What allows Goldfinger to endure is not nostalgia alone, but the archetypal qualities it projects. Bond here is more than a spy; he is an emblem of composure under duress, of wit in the face of menace, of taste and discernment amid chaos. In Connery’s performance we glimpse a vision of manhood that, while rooted in its own time, still speaks to ours: the call to be unflinching, to balance strength with civility, and to live as a gentleman, even when the world conspires against it. Unlike, the bland and social/cultural appeasement masculinity of today, Sir Sean Connery’s Bond exhibits strength of a warrior, the charisma of a gentleman, the chivalry of a knight, and the intelligence of a fine British chap on the top of his game. (I love that golf sequence between him and Goldfinger…brilliant!) 007 is an aspirational hero who meets adversity with not only valor but a bit of classic British swagger – never insincere or overplayed.