Country Life reveals the 39 rules of being a lady in 2015

It is safe to say that the editors of Country Life magazine would be most unimpressed with the performance of some Australian women at Flemington, but what exactly makes a lady in 2015?

The magazine has released a list of 39 rules that becometh the modern woman, which is only partly tongue-in-cheek.

The editors say, “The central principle is the same – generosity and graciousness are more important than fine feathers and a lady can come from any walk of life – but there’s one key difference: a capable lady knows when to let her gentleman take charge (or let him think so).”

Here are the 39 rules for being a lady:

1. Finds laughter is the best medicine.
2. Can say ‘thank you’ no matter where she is in the world.
3. Cooks perfect, crispy roast potatoes.
4. Offers to split the bill.
5. Knows that everyone, including herself, improves with age.
6. Offers the builder a cup of tea.
7. Excels at making love, lasagne and long gin and tonics.
8. Can silence a man with a stare and make a dog lie down with a hand signal – and vice versa.
9. Can imitate Piglet and Pooh voices for a bedtime story.
10. Prefers Mr Knightley to Mr Wickham, but is secretly in love with Rupert Campbell-Black.
11. Never downs a drink in one, unless it’s a shot of tequila.
12. Is aware that the school run and dog walking do not require full make-up.
13. Never wears shoes she can’t walk in.
14. Knows when a man is spoken for.
15. Can paunch a rabbit, pluck a pheasant and gut a fish, but allows men the privilege.
16. Remembers her godchildren’s birthdays.
17. Knows songs for a long car journey.
18. Is neither early for a dinner party nor late for church.
19. Doesn’t over-pluck her eyebrows.
20. Knows how to deflect a lecher with grace, and a proposal with kindness.
21. Comforts nervous flyers.
22. Would never have Botox.
23. Knows when to let a man think it’s his idea.
24. Would never own a handbag dog.
25. Can tie – and untie – a bow tie.
26. Might not understand the rules of rugby and cricket, but enjoys the game anyway.
27. Knows when to take control in the bedroom and the boardroom.
28. Knows the difference between Bentley & Skinner and Baddiel and Skinner.
29. Instills manners in her children, but lets their characters flourish.
30. Knows when to deadhead a rose.
31. Is never afraid to overdress.
32. Can handle a sports car, a sit-on mower and a ski lift.
33. Knows when to stop dyeing her hair.
34. Teaches her son to iron his shirts and her daughter to change a fuse.
35. Owns a little black dress.
36. Always has a hanky.
37. Knows that ‘brevity is the soul of lingerie’.
38. Has kissed several frogs and made them feel like princes.
39. However lucky in life, she doesn’t boast on Facebook.

What do you agree with or disagree with on this list? How do you stack up? And who can you think of who best epitomises a modern lady?