I have been wanting to post my thoughts on this question for a very, very long time. Last night, I had a dream. I was on a bus, got off for my stop, and it was a town, a village, where only handsome, dapper, elegant businessmen lived and worked. I got off at the stop and said to myself, "I'm in Heaven!"
That was a dream. The reality is, I'm living in a world where looking like a convict (shaved head, tattoos, t-shirts and jeans, flab, fat, or overdone muscles) are the norm.
Last summer, my daughter and I went to the county fair. We live in a nice area, and the majority of men in attendance (either with girlfriends, family, you name it) looked like this ex-con/prison inmate type. Yucky!
Now, yes, I am the type who judges a book by it's cover. I've said it, so there. I know these rough-around-the-edges types can/could be/are "nice guys," but that is not the type I prefer to look at or be with, not my style. And yes, the nice guy part does tale precedence over the appearance.
I am just like the fellow who posted on imdb.com message boards and said he does not like women who look like Bratz dolls. He longed for the retrun of Gene Tierney/Ava Gardner types.
So my question is, Whatever Happened to Handsome Men? Men like Robert Mitchum, Victor Mature, Richard Conte? Men who were rugged and sophisticated, could wear a suit and a hat and also casual wear but not look like slobs when doing so. Although, I must say, I don't know any movie where Richard Conte is in casual wear, thank god!
Today, who could compare to these men? In terms of physicality, I can only think of Chris Noth, Jon Hamn, Clive Owen, Rupert Everett, and I'll think of some more later.
If the men today (in films/entertainment or real, not reel life) do not look like ex-cons, then they have a boyish/teenage quality that never seems to go away. Man-boys in reel life that I think of are: Michael J. Fox, Jon Cryer, Leonardo DiCaprio (he still has not matured in my eyes, just put on some weight). I laughed when I thought of and saw him as Howard Hughes. That was a reeeeeeeeeeeeel stretch to me.
When did handsome men fade away? Why? I'm dying for your comments, ladies and gentlemen!
I too appreciate a gentleman. The type of man who wears ironed shirts, carries a handkerchief, shines his shoes, and smells good without knocking me over with a wall of Axe bodyspray. He holds the door for me even when nobody else is there, carries my bundles, worries if I find him attractive, knows how to properly tie a full Windsor...I am blessed to have married such a man.
ReplyDeleteLucky girl (although we know luck has nothing to do with it!)
ReplyDeleteI believe good manners can be properly modeled. Think of how many fellas your guy has influenced when he holds the door for you.
I'm sure you praise him when he does so. The praise and thanks for such kind and gentle deeds makes a person want to behave well and yearn to do more. It could be . . . contagious! Just like a smile!
Oh, and the handlerchief, nothing fancy, just a simple starched white one in the pocket of a slim black or even dark brown siut. How handsome indeed!
Have a fabulous day!
Oh Vicky how right you are! Nothing is sweeter than watching my 3 boys compete with each to hold the door open for me or carry my bag. I am certain my husband modeling impeccable manners has accomplished this. I consider it our duty to raise them up to be good citizens and adoring future husbands of some lucky gals as well as strong role models to their children.
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