How to be a Gentlewoman: The Art of Soft Power in Hard Times

Gentlewoman: A woman who blends old-fashioned values with a thoroughly modern and open-minded attitude; using her self-confidence to show up, not show off and her optimism to inspire others and build a happier life. Women today are under so much pressure to be everything to everyone: to be cool, smart, fit, thin (but not too thin!), funny (but not bitchy), a supportive friend, partner and family member. We want to be successful and liked at work, to have opinions about politics, art and literature as well as, well... Kanye West. We strive for more and more Instagram followers rather than working on our real relationships with real friends. Happiness has become just another thing on our to-do list. This book is for any woman aspiring to better herself and live more happily. This modern Englishwoman tells you how to be a gentlewoman; from knowing how to use a power drill, to making your bed every single day and never eating lunch at your desk. She will take you on a first date, to a party where you should ask someone 'what they are into' rather 'than what they do' and to a dinner party where you should always arrive 11 minutes late. She tells you how to be mysterious, flirtatious and to dine alone, the right way to approach weddings and how to host a kitchen supper (with beer) the end of the night, for a birthday, for a smart date, never asks how to get home because she always knows. How to be a Gentlewoman presents a clear and compelling strategy for navigating life today with charm, care, confidence, consideration and control. Each chapter will include relatable,personal anecdotes and examples, and each will end with a relevant and irreverent list of 'gentle rules'. Rather than killing it, slaying in your lane, having to be a girl boss or not adopting the subtle art of not giving a f**k, this book teaches you the incredible female power of being gentle in a brutal world.