Clifton Kopp
True, genuine class is far rarer than you think.
After all, anyone can pick up a Gucci belt, or any other designer, status-symbol item, and pretend to be classy.
But in reality, things don’t work this way.
Real classiness comes from deep within.
Usually, class is a byproduct of how you were raised; sometimes, it’s genetic… other times, it’s both of the above.
If you want to be classy and truly cultivate sophistication, you need to be extra mindful of your day-to-day habits.
This is where I come in. In this article, I’ll take you through the common behaviors of classy people.
Let’s get to it!
1) Politeness
When it comes to gaining class, a few basic manners will always go a long way.
People who don’t have class often overlook manners, and thus sometimes come across as self-entitled and unappreciative of others.
Saying “please,” “thank you,” and “sorry,” and showing general courtesy in your actions, particularly when someone’s doing you a favor is a subtle yet powerful indication of class… not to mention graciousness and humility too.
Whether you’re dealing with a busboy in a restaurant or your boss at work, acting politely will be appreciated by anyone who is there to witness it.
2) Respect for everyone
At the root of politeness is respect–which makes these little gestures all the more powerful.
I know people who will only interact with others if there’s something in it for them.
I know people who won’t talk to you unless you’re of a certain status.
Sad, I know. But the thing is that the latter examples don’t represent authentically classy behavior.
True class means treating everyone equally, regardless of social status, bank account contents, or whatever else.
When someone speaks, a classy person will listen attentively and respectfully, respecting and valuing others and their opinions.
Remember, at the end of the day, true character (and class) is how you treat others who can do nothing for you. Real talk.
3) Discretion
When it comes to classy people, still waters run deep.
They are all about restraint and discretion. In other words, they aren’t show-offs.
You won’t see a classy person often flashing money around, or overpriced brand-name luxury accessories, cars, or first-class boarding passes.
Classy people have an inner confidence about who they are… and what they stand for.
Thus, they rarely feel the need to overcompensate and try to gain hollow validation by flexing status symbols.
Their status is not defined by what they own… and they’re fully aware of that.
They value privacy and discretion more than brashly boasting about superficial things or people.
4) Elegant dressing
As established, classy people aren’t particularly loud and excessive–something that very much extends to how they dress and carry themselves in public.
Things like brand names aren’t a priority for classy people.
This is because they have nothing to prove. An overpriced pair of Balenciaga trainers will not change the fundamental nature of who they are.
Instead, they tend to have an honest elegance about them; effortlessly stylish and dapper without expending much time, money, and effort.
They can wear a $15 shirt from Target and make it look good.
But sure, they can dress up too… when the occasion calls for it.
The point is, they will regularly choose appropriate and sensible attire, regardless of the price tag.
5) Empathy and compassion
Here’s the thing: classy people tend to care about others, and not just when it suits them.
Displaying genuine concern for others’ feelings and situations, however foreign and distant, is a hallmark of the genuinely classy individual.
Often, a classy person will pay it forward and offer help and support when needed, without being asked, without any underlying motive other than to improve the lives of other people.
At the sprightly age of 87, my grandmother is still one of the classiest people I know.
We live in an area of the world where natural disasters like typhoons, landslides, and earthquakes are rampant.
Without fail, every year, there’s an unprecedented natural disaster that claims the lives of hundreds–and the livelihood of thousands.
For as long as I remember, my grandmother has always been there to help.
Today, she still makes generous, anonymous donations to the charities she trusts to help the victims of these calamities… whether they are in her direct community, or hundreds of miles away.
She donates because she genuinely cares, not for good press or to gain clout on social media (she’s never even heard of Instagram!)
Bottom line: classy people have empathy, and their actions will often reflect that sentiment.
6) Honesty and integrity
Classy people have an inherent honesty about them.
They have a steady moral compass and therefore remain trustful and transparent when dealing with others.
They generally aren’t shady.
You don’t have to constantly worry about them trying to pull a fast one over you… as many might do, given the opportunity.
Trust is a big deal for a classy person.
Not only do they exhibit trust and honesty, but they expect it from others too.
I’ve come across many classy people throughout my life, and many are honest, almost to a fault… standing by their principles even when it’s inconvenient for them.
7) Cultural awareness
One major parallel among truly classy people is worldliness.
You see, most people are content with limiting their knowledge of the world to their immediate vicinity, or excessively mundane topics like sports or celebrity gossip, or culture wars.
Classy people read; they travel; they seek to learn more about other people and their respective customs and cultures.
They aren’t typically content with staying in one place, living the same kind of lives as those before them.
They want more out of life and actively educate themselves to fulfill that desire.
This means that they’ll have an almost heightened awareness that other cultures and social norms exist in the world–and usually, they’re completely foreign and exotic to their own.
At the end of the day, the classy person has enough humility to know that the world doesn’t revolve around them.
Final words
It’s never too late to gain class and refinement in life.
But you have to be willing and open to changing some ingrained, even fundamental, behaviors within you.
Take things a day at a time. Start small… and let things trickle down slowly but surely.
Remember, nothing of value in life ever comes overnight.
But if you stay the course, remaining flexible and enthusiastic about this pursuit, you’ll become a classier person far sooner than you think.
You got this.
