Pearl Nash
Some people are effortlessly classy.
They don’t even need to try, they simply excuse taste, sophistication, and self-respect.
It’s so deeply ingrained in them to behave this way, that they don’t even notice it anymore.
Maybe you are one of these people. Yet you are totally unaware of your underlying classy qualities.
If so, then these are the things you don’t realize you’re doing because you’re naturally classy.
1) You’re always polite and well-mannered
Good manners are one of the strongest signs of class.
Yet we often don’t even notice them anymore.
They are so ever-present that saying please and thank you feels as natural as breathing.
You may not even be aware of how appreciated your courtesy toward others is.
That’s just how you’ve been taught to treat people — with respect.
But rest assured that it is making a clear statement of class to the people you meet.
2) You express gratitude for the things people do for you
Real gratitude goes far deeper than simply saying thank you.
It’s an attitude that you have, and it shows.
When we really appreciate the things that others do for us, it even makes us more humble.
We notice and express thanks for those who matter to us in our lives. We see how influential they are in our own happiness and success.
If you feel this gratitude, chances are that you behave differently because of it.
You’re less dismissive of the little things. You don’t take people for granted. You take the time to show people how much they mean to you.
3) You are gracious in giving others the limelight
If there’s one characteristic that classy people often have in spades — it’s confidence.
But rather than meaning they are always the center of attention, this often has the opposite effect.
Because you aren’t desperately seeking validation or attention, you are happy with those around you taking center stage.
You enjoy watching people shine. It isn’t threatening or unnerving to you.
It’s a natural sign of class when you give credit where credit is due, and you effortlessly step back to let others have the limelight.
4) You’re rarely late because you respect people’s time
Perhaps it’s an extension of impeccable manners.
But when you are naturally classy you probably don’t stop to think about your good timekeeping.
It may feel like it’s insignificant but it’s not. It all comes back to respect.
You don’t want to keep people waiting. You aren’t arrogant enough to think your time is worth more than theirs.
You hate to be late because it feels rude. So when you make an appointment, you strive to keep it.
5) You take pride in your appearance
You take pride in your appearance first and foremost because it makes you feel good.
You dress in a way that is tasteful to you and leaves you feeling empowered.
It’s not about impressing others, so you probably don’t even recognize the impact.
Because it’s a total myth that classy people have the best designer clothes or are image-obsessed.
In fact, it’s far more about the basics. Being clean and well groomed. Getting enough exercise and a good night’s sleep.
And of course, carry yourself well through your body language…
6) You give off comfortable body language
Body language reveals a lot. But we give it very little scrutiny in our day-to-day lives.
Classy body language looks a lot like confident body language.
It is warm, rather than guarded. It shows off your level of comfort. Yet it also highlights your quiet confidence and power.
We’re talking about:
- Maintaining good posture
- Keeping your head up
- Looking people in the eye
- Gently pressing your shoulders back
- Not slouching
- Avoiding nervous fidgeting
You may not realize you’re exuding class through your body language, because this way of carrying yourself comes so naturally to you.
7) You strive to better yourself
You are well-read, curious, and you want to learn.
Learn more about the world, about other people, and about yourself.
There’s something about naturally classy people that is always striving for more.
But very importantly, that doesn’t come from a sense of lack.
It’s not more because you don’t already feel enough. It is more for the sake of growth and expansion.
You see it as an important part of life to develop and progress.
8) You ask nicely rather than having a tantrum
Frustrations arise throughout our day. And for sure, they can try our patience.
Hey, nobody is a Saint.
But naturally classy people manage to keep their cool and communicate with respect.
So when something doesn’t quite go to plan, you stay mindful of always remaining decent.
You don’t scream at the customer service rep down the phone. You aren’t condescendingly telling the waitstaff how to do their job properly.
Every time you choose kindness whenever your patience feels pushed, you are unwittingly showing your class.
9) You never intentionally air your dirty laundry
Not literally of course, although that’s probably not very classy either.
What I’m talking about is not making a scene.
— You’re not prone to having drunken arguments in the street.
— You don’t go on Facebook or Twitter to let lose an emotional rant.
— You don’t turn into a total Karen every time life doesn’t go your way.
Of course, you have conflict just like everyone else.
But you recognize that there is a time and a place for everything. And what’s more, an appropriate way of handling something.
Yet, the thought of airing your dirty laundry in public may be so cringeworthy to you, that you’ve never thought to give yourself credit for the taste and decency involved with not doing so.
10) You keep your private life private
It’s not just the potentially awkward moments in life that you show discretion over.
Neither do you overly flaunt the good either.
It’s not just that you avoid excessive boasting or bragging. You don’t engage in more subtle attention-seeking behavior either.
— You don’t dish the dirt on every detail of what you and your beau get up to in the bedroom.
— You don’t feel the need to share what is happening in your life every minute of every day on your social media
— You prefer to keep special moments private
— You don’t post so-called “thirst-trap” snaps of yourself looking hot in order to get likes that feed your ego.
11) You can handle your drink and you know when to stop
Classy people know how to control themselves.
That goes for alcohol too.
They’re never the ones at the end of the night staggering home or vomiting down an alleyway.
You may give it very little thought. But every time that voice in your head says to you “I think I’ve had enough” and you listen to it — you are showing your class.
You prefer not to lose total control of your senses. So you know your limits and you stick to them.
12) You give up your seat on the bus
Showing class is far less about the bling lifestyle and far more about humble gestures of decency.
That’s why something as simple as giving up your seat to someone else on public transport says a lot.
We should never underestimate the seemingly inconsequential ways we show care and attention to our fellow man.
It could be holding the door open for others, taking your hat off when you are inside, or waiting for everyone’s meal to arrive before you start eating.
These tiny little considerations speak volumes.
13) You accept compliments graciously
I admittedly suck at this one.
When someone says something nice, I find myself instantly refuting it. Or I make a self-deprecating joke.
Yet I’m trying to get better at it.
Because those who know how to accept a compliment with grace actually elevate their executive presence.
According to therapist Robyn E. Brickel, when we struggle to accept compliments, we may be struggling to accept validation:
“Often it may be that the recipient feels deep down that they are unworthy of the kind words being offered to them. They struggle to believe they have worth and value and therefore are unable to experience the feeling of fully accepting the compliment.”
That’s why when you can take a compliment, you show that you know your own worth and value.
14) You stay away from drama
Gossip and negative chat aren’t your vibe.
Excessive negativity and complaining bring you down, so you avoid it at all costs.
And that means you manage to have a relatively drama-free existence.
From the outside looking in, many seemingly “boring lives” are actually the classiest of lives. Because they aren’t feeding off the rollercoaster of constant highs and lows.
They remain steady and stable.
You might look around and wonder why certain acquaintances, colleagues, or even friends and family members always seem to jump from one crisis to the next.
But that’s because you take for granted how your mindset keeps you from getting caught up in pointless strife.
15) You have tact when you speak
The truth is important, but so too are other people’s feelings.
Thinking before you speak is no longer something you are particularly conscious of. You’ve been cultivating this mindfulness for so long.
It’s not that you shy away from letting your thoughts, feelings, and wishes be known. It’s more that you understand how we communicate with others is important.
It has far-reaching implications for all of our relationships and connections. So you prefer to choose your words carefully.
