Does Country Life know their derrière from their elbow?

Fun times for our country cousins over at Country Life: they have compiled a list, drawn up with the help of Jeremy Paxman and Jilly Cooper, of dos-and-don’ts to guide the modern gentleman.

Mr S has chosen not to comment on their unprovoked attack on coloured trousers, or the usual jazz about pre-tied bowties and tardiness, because he is rather puzzled by the emphatic statement that a true gentleman always ‘makes love on his elbows’.

The mental image is beyond description. Needless to say, this particular tip does not seem to have made the cut for Debrett’s – or, to take in another point of view, Playboy.

Mr S can only recall the famous line about Marlon Brando’s seduction technique. When asked why so many women fell in love with him, Brando replied ‘elbow time’. He would prop himself up on one elbow after sex to make it look like he was interested in the small talk even though he was actually falling asleep.