Are you a 'Poyo' or a Gentleman? A checklist
There are no wrong answers. But there are some very right ones...
By The Gentleman
Published on: 15 February 2021
Updated: 18 April 2024
Photo: Ismail Farid
We all know a 'Poyo' when we see one — of course we do. It’s in his vibes, his demeanor, and his outlook in life. He walks into the black-tie events — like he’s owning the place.
But by the time the 'poyo's up close and personal with you, it’s already too late. And if the man in question satisfies three or more of these criteria, you know just how far to run, and in which direction.
(We have also included a checklist of the attributes of the modern gentleman. Tick off twenty five or above, and you’re probably on the right track. Probably.)
THE 'POYO'
Revealed the price of his shoes, tuxedo, or watch without being asked
Want to be known as "Mr. Know All"
Tend to speaks of himself during conversation with others
Created a fake email and attacked people by sending hatred emails
Pretend he can influence all of his followers on Instagram by writing on his photo caption such as "I want everyone to do things like what I did..."
Must win at all cost
Want to be seen as the socialites
Overtly showing his success or wealth
Pretend to be smart on Instagram with his 'philosophical captions'
Love to associate himself with the status symbols (designer labels, watches, cars, big houses)
Segregated people based on T20, M40, and B40
Refer to himself as a gentleman
Believes that 'he made it' if he is featured in a glossy high-society magazine
Name-dropping
Thinking that success is measured by money or popularity
Dress to get noticed
Worry about gaining or losing in everything
Talk more rather than listen
Obsessed with celebrities
Ibiza
New Gucci loafers
Judged people based on their number of Instagram followers
Love to show how successful he became
Self-effacing TikTok videos which always somehow feature his abs
Owns more than one Rolex
Never offer to pay during date or friend's gathering
Wearing white socks at work
Matching tie & pocket square
Hate the culture of excellence - education, manners, institution, peoples
Serve only himself
Put down on people publicly
Versace underwear
Boastful on his honorific (purchased) Title
Take credit of other people's work
Peacock
AWOL after RSVP
The Gentleman
Admire his father and his grandfather
Consistently keep himself fit
Identified a role-model, and eventually be a role-model to others
Realized that his time on earth is limited
Royal warrants
Exercise his intellect by reading history
Would never seriously refer to himself as a gentleman
Committed to develop his bloodline to be a much better version than himself
Not worries about personal fame and gain, but worries about the entire world
Harvard Kennedy School
Find value in something according to its history and its story
Putting others first
Praise his friends publicly
Admit that he is not perfect
Value the mistakes of the past
Has said “I don’t know” within the past calendar year
Helping the helpless
Know how to tie a tie
Believe success is measured by legacy and how he touched the lives of people
Noblesse Oblige
Dress to honor the host
Half-canvas suit made from natural fabrics (wool, cashmere)
An excellent listener, let the people do 80% of the talking
Continually strives to improve oneself
Goodyear-welted construction shoes
Taking full responsibility of everything
Never slap his partner / wife
Understand the burden of being a man
Does not follow fashion
Sharp and clean style, no room for too many effects
Open the car door for her
Nice sheets
Eton college
Serve all, but love only one
Obsessed with continuous improvements (learning, benchmarking, refinement)
Realizes that more is achieved through failure than through success
Treat her spouse / partner like a princess
Committed to nation-building
Respect and defend his heritage
Reluctant to lead
Nonchalant
Eye-contact