Well, in fact, neither you nor I will likely ever become a secret agent in Her Majesty’s Service. Nevertheless, it does not mean we cannot look like James Bond in our own eyes and in the eyes of people around us. 

James Bond, no matter in whose performance you prefer to see him – Pierce Brosnan or Daniel Craig – is as perfect as he can be. 

Thanks to the English sophistication, without a doubt he always knows exactly how to behave on a first date, how to easily get an invitation to the best table in any restaurant and, finally, how to have such an easy and relaxed style that many can only dream of. 

Certainly, all of the above qualities are included in the mandatory set of skills vital in his difficult profession, without which you are unlikely to be invited to save the world, however …

Here are some tips that I managed to get directly from the head of his Secret Service: 

Manners maketh man! 

Yes, yes, I know that this phrase belongs to a character from a completely different movie. But it seems that the agents of Kingsman and the agents of Her Majesty’s Secret Service agree and consider this rule to be the most important. 

First of all, James Bond is well-mannered and knows perfectly well how to communicate with people before killing them. His beautiful and cultured speech, confidence in his words, as well as charm make the image of the agent absolutely irresistible in women’s eyes. Of course, innate elegance plays a role, but there are a few secrets that every man should use in order to increase his own attractiveness. 

Calm down your ego and bragging, and learn not only to talk, but also to listen to your interlocutor. Be as attentive and polite as possible, and in the case of a lady, also generous. Yes, it may seem old-fashioned, but, believe my experience, it still works. 

Style is always in the details 

James Bond is always immaculately dressed. Perhaps too perfect for a secret agent. It seems that for the next mission, he goes directly from bespoke-studio, located on Savil Row (this, of course, is not true, and I promise to reveal the subject of James Bond’s wardrobe in detail later in one of the following publications).

But what is more important is not what he is wearing, but how the agent manages to perfectly combine his look with the place and time. In the future, I will also devote a separate article to this skill of a real gentleman, since without the art of looking appropriate to the occasion, you will never become truly perfect. 

It is never too late to learn! 

It is absolutely not enough to look perfect and at the same time politely remain silent. Not without reason it is said that: “Clothes count only for first impressions.” The ability to become an attractive and interesting conversationalist is not given at birth, it depends on us. Find time to read books, go to the theater or cinema, be interested in other cultures, and learn languages. Be sure to spend time with classical art in all its forms, because classics are all the best that humanity has managed to create, and this will definitely enrich, and not spoil your taste. 

But at the same time, do not avoid new technologies. Do not forget that the ability to handle the latest gadgets is not only useful, but also very spy-like! In a word, expand your knowledge and horizons by any means, so that you always have the opportunity to show off your erudition in any casual conversation. 

Sound mind in a sound body 

I am not at all sympathetic to the modern sport of great achievements. In our time, it is more of a show business with all its ugly manifestations, but the attractiveness of the external physical form has not been canceled.

If you are cheerful and fit and you like the way you look, then most likely your self-confidence will be felt by your interlocutors. Among other things, an active lifestyle and a visit to a fitness club inevitably expands your social circle and, as a result, opens up new opportunities. I think there is no need to remind you that this is also an absolute health benefit, but I just want to warn you: do not turn your enthusiasm for sport into a race for records, and even more so into a reason for bragging. James Bond does not do that. 

Place determines the possibility 

“Being determines consciousness” – this idea, voiced by Karl Marx, in our case, can be paraphrased: “Place determines the opportunity.” 

Have you ever met a famous person in a common-or-garden bean wagon while discussing a multimillion-dollar contract with a Wall Street financial mogul? I’m not.

This is not at all surprising. After all, truly great opportunities open up where the sky is reflected in skyscrapers, where political and social life is bubbling, where great deals are made in casual conversations. Do not be afraid to visit such places, whether it is a newly opened trendy restaurant or a contemporary art exhibition. But first, give up the habit of drinking canned beer in favor of more refined drinks and complex cocktails, as James Bond has already done (detailed instructions in the selection and combination of drinks will also be offered by me in subsequent publications).

Now that you are familiar with these simple rules, it remains a small matter – learn to follow them and then you have every chance to become the next James Bond. And yet a true gentleman not only follows the accepted rules, but also creates his own.