The Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) defines “elegance” as follows: “It is the quality of being elegant, that is, of having distinction, refinement, grace, style, panache, finesse, gentleness, taste, delicacy”.
This word comes from the Latin elegantia and expresses “good taste” or “refinement”; it derives from the verb eligere, which means “to choose” or “to select”.
In this regard, the first general impression refers to optimal clothing and appearance. Hence, when approaching this subject, good taste is often linked to selecting appropriate clothing by time, age, climate, place, physical characteristics, and event.
This term has been circumscribed only with the attire: this is a mistake. However, this misperception deserves the special attention of countless men and women.
Those whose discourse serves this purpose are directly responsible for this distortion. In this sense, I ratify what I have stated on previous occasions: they have contributed to downplaying the importance of a matter of imposing dimension and implication. Understanding and valuing its real connotation from a broader perspective is essential.
The usefulness of “elegance,” part of multiple notions, should be promoted from the most basic levels in the formative process. Therefore, learning should be encouraged in the pedagogical system and the family environment. An observation: to teach, it is necessary to harbour norms, beliefs, virtues, and ways of living together with our peers that are predestined to strengthen this concept.
In the light of a simple analysis, we will conclude that many individuals avoid, in an endless number of scenarios, exhibiting a profile capable of guaranteeing an optimal education to the new generations. Considering the absence of intellectual acuity to analyse human behaviour and its compatibility with soft skills, it is an uncomfortable and inconvenient matter.
Elegance” avoids being a frivolous, superficial and elitist issue linked to hierarchies, origins or socioeconomic peculiarities. I see it as a way of proceeding in the intimate, social and business fields. In the following, I share my impressions concerning the role of a word that I advise to deserve introspective attention in all of us, regardless of sex, age, origin and activity that we carry out. I describe situations that may be familiar to you.
Even if it goes unnoticed by some, the way we communicate denotes personal “elegance.” The above is essential, and how we transmit our oral message reflects our education, culture, and emotional makeup, among other things. The tone of voice, diction, confidence, look and smile allow us to visualise details circumscribed by personality.
Attachment to culture in its various manifestations, such as painting, literature, music, reading, etc., represents a thermometer of the “elegance” of a human being committed to his or her development and self-improvement. It enhances critical awareness, strengthens the temperament, expands soft skills, promotes reflective capacities and facilitates a more complex world vision.
Reacting to tension, conflict, or discrepancy reveals genuine “elegance.” Emotional intelligence, temperament, civility, and a wide range of coexistence can be appreciated in these eventualities. A neighbour may have academic degrees, professional growth, and an excellent appearance. But, in these vicissitudes, his performance will define his trustworthy identity.
Practicing gestures that are unusual in our days, such as returning an invitation, sending a congratulatory note and/or greeting on certain anniversaries, giving a gift on special occasions, sending a text of thanks accompanied by flowers, and bringing a dessert and/or a bottle of liquor to share when we are invited to a family or friendly occasion, are magnificent details that denote “elegance.”
Honour the word and possess high principles. A sense of honour, dignity, and fulfilment of duty symbolise its “elegance.” It is common to circumvent your significance as an affirmation of the lacerating moral crisis that plagues the contemporary world. Solid values and a high sense of ethics enhance and distinguish. At the same time, they constitute an inspiring reference.
Elegance” makes it possible to show our image, style, and attitude authentically and simply. Let us avoid acquiring it through a manual or training courses; I recommend forging it from the spiritual space and transferring it, with coherence, transparency, and fluency, in external acts. Our positive feelings towards others and the environment in which we live nourish it.
It is a “letter of introduction” that should be integrated into our priorities, desires and illusions to enrich our way and quality of life. It is categorical in our personal and collective well-being. Dear reader, I invite you to meditate on the assertions of the Mexican lecturer Miguel Angel Cornejo: “Realization is the full expression of our potential, and the only way to achieve excellence is to have the courage and the courage to extract the best of ourselves”.
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Written by Wilfredo PÉREZ, an etiquette specialist.
3rd March 2025, Peru
Category: Etiquette
Referency: WP3032024E
