> I’m curious, is genteel considered a pejorative associated with emasculation in New Zealand?
Yup, definitely. Not quite as pejorative as “poncified” but almost. “Poncified” would be genteel plus dressing fancy.
> I for one, would take being considered genteel as an extreme compliment, and wouldn’t associate it with sissification at all.
Must have different connotations in the US. What does “genteel” mean up there?
Here, Genteel would mean a man of refinement and taste, and usually wealth. Our founding fathers for example would have been considered genteel in their day.