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Okay, let's get this (so to speak) straight: You know why so many pretty, interesting, eligible straight women like hanging out with with gay men? Gay men tend to be (note I said tend to be, of course they aren't always) a lot more willing to listen than straight men, a lot more interested in human relationships, they follow culture and the arts, and they actually bother to groom themselves--all traits that used to be valued in men in general. It used to be that men actually took the time to shave, put on a nice shirt and wear socks that aren't white and three days old before meeting a date to show her that he knew how to take care of himself and wanted to seem like a desirable boyfriend/fiance/mate, but those days are sadly long gone. Most gay men are attractive (I mean objectively attractive, not just to gay men) because they actually care enough to clean themselves up and make a good impression. Note to single men: Watch "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," or even--gasp!--make some gay friends yourselves. Take a shower, get a haircut, buy a decent sweater, read something other then The Weekly Standard once in a while, and guess what? More women will want to date you. I promise.

...a lot more willing to listen than straight men, a lot more interested in human relationships, they follow culture and the arts, and they actually bother to groom themselves--all traits that used to be valued in men in general.

I think you're right on the money, BetsyR! Used to be that "gentlemen" were all these things and more. Unfortunately, we have made all this stuff somehow "gay" in our culture, thus, "real men" have tended to stay away from it. I'm becoming more and more like the guy who refuses to give up a perfectly good word - "gay" - to be co-opted by our culture. I want to be that "classic" kind of "gentleman" that we once knew, respected, and aspired to be. And I want my son - 17 years old - to be the same. My wife appreciates the efforts.