Being classy is that self-respect which comes deep from within, much like inner beauty. Wherease wealth can create a classy exterior, everyone knows clothes does not make a woman nor man. Past that, one’s character, values, carriage, and self-respect  are the hallmarks of being a classy person.

You don’t need to own a Rolls Royce, BMW, or Mercedes to let people know who you are or how much money you have. Having pride in one’s home and one’s vehicle and other material possessions is just as rewarding as money in one’s pocket. A well maintained home with a mowed lawn, flowers, and even the proverbial white picket fence speaks volumes of a classy person who appreciates what he/she has. A shiny clean car can be just as much a chick-magnet as a Corvette or Jaguar.  It is how you present your image.

At the same time, how many times have you ridden around in your neighborhood or someone else’s neighborhood and seen properties littered with a rusty old car or two, piles of junk lying around the yard, and a tattered curtain hanging from dirty window? You don’t need to be a neat freak to keep a house clean, all it takes is occasional dusting and daily sweeping.

Being classy without being rich involves having a code of conduct.  Being richly dressed or immaculately coiffed will not exude class if everyone time one open’s one’s mouth, frogs fall out instead of jewels. Slurping soup, elbows on the table, burping or belching after a good meal, or chewing gum with one’s mouth opened are not classy acts.  Class is having manners and exercising them in the company of others.  As well, speaking in a calm voice instead of a loud boisterous one in public will garner more attention than not.

This code of conduct also entails knowing when to be overt, affectionate, or demonstrative in public, and when other overtures are better left behind closed doors. That includes speaking on a cell phone in public.  We do not need to know the intimate details of one’s private life; the less, the better.  It is about being a lady after being trashed by the media from people who can’t keep their mouths closed.  It is about self-esteem and self-love as demonstrated in the movie “Valley of the Dolls” whereupon an older actress was ousted out of popularity by a younger upstart. When this vixen yanked off the older actress’  wig, she proudly threw a scarf over her head, pushed back her shoulders and left, saying “I intend to go out the same way I came in…” (Wig or no wig!)

Along the same lines, coming “out of the closet” with one’s sexuality does not necessarily entail broadcasting to the entire world that they too, must embrace your act. Discretion is still the class act of the day, when one’s personal preferences should be a whisper, and celebrities should take a lesson on how to be classy about their private lives.

As far as personality is concerned, generosity is a classy trait to follow.  Giving of one’s time, one’s affections, sharing whatever you have with someone in need is definitely as class act.  There is nothing worse than a wealthy person who is also a skinflint or tightwad , giving nothing to anyone except himself.  A person who has nothing materialistically but shares whatever he does own is the personification of a classy person. 

Aging gracefully is also a classy attitude.  Acceptance of who we are and what we have become in the process of growing old will bring peace and tranquility to our lives.  Jet black hair on a wrinkled face will not bring back youth.  Having hair down to the waist does not make one more “hip”. Getting a good hair cut would sport classiness in one’s appearance. 

For younger people who wish to get breast implants to be more sexy, are actually going overboard in their zeal to have big breasts.  Bigger is not always better.  Double D’s or E’s will only make a person top heavy and imbalanced.  Being classy is having a proportionate body in keeping with that sexy image. 

Lastly, the classiest act a person can have is being able to keep a secret.  How many friendships have been lost due to lack of trust, sharing a secret(s) with someone who blabbed at the first opportune moment?  Respecting other people’s privacy is truly being classy.