Ever since those Dos Equis ads appeared, featuring "The Most Interesting Man in the World,” I've been wondering how a person could possibly become so interesting. Can such charm be demystified? Can it be broken down into parts and analyzed? To some degree it can be.



First, we have to identify exactly what it is we're breaking down.
I think the all-encompassing term for such a character is the every-day use of "noble.” According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, there are many definitions of "noble,” but they all strongly suggest that a noble person is one with "outstanding qualities” or with "high birth or exalted rank.” However, in our very diverse and eclectic American culture, such exaltations could look quite different depending on a person's general context; "noble” in one situation may be quite unimpressive in another. Below are five steps to ensure that you are among the nobility in any situation.



1. Know your audience. This is the foundation upon which all the other steps rest: the social conventions and expectations of the environment in which you will be living/working/socializing is extremely important to know. Something that gets you respect in one place may get you ignored in another. Know where you are, and who you are among, before you act.



2. Have confidence. Philosophers from Plato to Nietzsche spoke of nobility in their own unique ways, but what they all had in common was the importance of confidence. There is no room for self-pity in the life of a noble. If something unfortunate happens, it needs to be shrugged off immediately. If worry does seep into one's mind, it cannot be shown to others. A noble is confident that everything will work out well and that he or she will always be on top.



3. Dress appropriately. The appropriateness of attire depends on where you are. Wearing a tuxedo will not get you the respect worthy of a noble while at a backyard barbecue among peers. That being said, there is a fashion scale for backyard barbecues, and it is imperative that you find yourself on the top of that scale. The right sandals, khakis and beach t-shirt will do much for your status.



4. Speak correctly and appropriately. This is of utmost importance because communication is quite powerful when convincing people that you do, indeed, deserve the respect worthy of a noble. Again, you need to know your audience. Speaking to my work colleagues sounds much different than speaking to my family, which is much different than speaking with my fraternity brothers at a reunion. Learn the appropriate lingo for the situation in which you plan to be and learn it well.



5. Learn the three persuasive appeals to speaking. Those are ethos (the confidence and credibility to speak), logos (the ability to sound reasonable) and pathos (the ability to stir up people's emotions). No matter the environment in which you find yourself speaking, perfecting these three things is imperative to nobility. For example, when I was at a dinner party a week ago, I researched enough to know that our hosts were fans of The Doors. I expressed my ethos by mentioning how some the The Doors' themes made their way into my published fiction and job related writing, I expressed logos when I gave examples of how each lyric applied to a part of my writing, and I gave pathos by expressing the emotions that motivated me to use The Doors, in the first place. I was instantly respected, honored and esteemed: the appropriate results of being noble.

To report corrections and clarifications, contact esmith@getonthecouch.com. For publication consideration send comments to media@getonthecouch.com. Include name, phone number, city and state for verification.