Gentlemen,
Recently I met with my old professor and mentor for a cup of coffee that lasted over 5 
hours. We stayed much longer than either of us anticipated discussing family, life and the future. During our conversation he pulled out a pocketknife that had a wood grain handle and began to talk about it. He told me “I really wanted this knife because it belongs to my father (90 years strong).” The knife is worn and over sharpened but he looked at it as if he had seen a precious piece of cutlery for the first time and said, “this is a banana knife and people in the packing house need it to make sure they have the right tool for the job.” His family owns one of the oldest grower/packing houses in central California (96 years). I quietly thought, a Gentleman with a PH.D that carries his father’s pocketknife around, “you are a badass!” The knife is not a showpiece and he uses it often, noticeable in the wear, but it is a rich part of his tradition. Tradition is often confused with history and they are worlds apart.
History is the past and exists in events, memories and stories. Maybe you sit around with family/friends and the stories typically beginning with, “When I was younger we used to…” or “I remember…” At times there is distance and disconnect with the facts and genuine feelings can be associated with the memories. History is at the mercy of being able to recall the details with accuracy and often times family members or friends say, “No, it happened like this…” The saying, history is HIS-Story has some element of truth.
Tradition may begin in history but instead of being a memory it exists in the 
present. The origin of the word “tradition” comes from the Latin tradere, trans=across + dare=give (Macbook dictionary). The root word means to pass along beliefs and customs. Tradition can be created and developed during the present and continue into the future. In other words, tradition is active compared to history that is inactive. The tradition can be as simple as cooking breakfast for your loved ones every Sunday morning, playing poker two times a month with a group of friends or caring for your elderly parents. Either way, it is a repeated behavior based in your beliefs.
The only way history can be transformed into a tradition is by creating and teaching in the present. It can be something that you learned as a child and no longer practice and by taking action you create tradition. I have never heard anyone speak fondly of letting traditions die out and those that are established and rekindled can live on.
We at Gentlemen’s Avenue believe that part of being a Gentleman is being able to teach and create traditions with friends, family and the community because only then can we tradere, “pass along”, beliefs and customs to others. We believe in tradition so strongly that our motto is “Modern Men of Tradition & Distinction”. Everyone has different traditions, whether it is going to a traditional barber that practices the craft of barbering for a quality cut or preserving your fathers pocketknife. It is important to create and teach traditions to younger generations your children, nieces/nephews or apprentices.
Photo Courtesy of Master Barber Bertus with Jens (Father & Son)
Mr. M
www.facebook.com/Gentlemens.Ave
Modern Men of Tradition & Distinction
LYRMBGB!
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2013 Gentlemen's Avenue