I have read too many things in this day and age that lead me to believe that romance is dead. Or, shall I better state that women think that men are not romantic anymore. I wonder now if this is true, or is it that the social network and public opinion are much more accessable than ever before.
 I am much more inclined to believe that men are men as much as they were before... there are gentlemen and there are scoundrels (for lack of a more tactful word, for I am a gentleman.) I am also inclined to believe that women have not changed much in their view of men. Woman and men are both initially attracted by sight, and as much as women would have us believe otherwise, I have yet to read a romance novel, see a movie or hear of a romantic fantasy that involved a short, fat balding man with glasses. The rippling muscles, peircing eyes and long flowing mane I dare to say, rarely belong to a gentleman, but none-the-less, they are the stuff dreams are made of.
 I once had the flowing mane, the peircing eyes and the silver tongue (never the six pack abs but I was always fit.) I learned to dance (very well) tango, cha-cha, merengue, fox-trot, waltz... latin and ballroom; because women love a man who can dance, and I was a gentleman. I was a gentleman and also a scoundral. I was a charmer. I treated every woman, regardless of her looks like a lady. I flirted and kissed hands, bought roses for ALL of the women at the table, not just the "cute" one. And most importantly (and still to this day) I never lied, unless to save someones feelings. I had many, many "one night stands" and short affairs, but turned many more down because I refuse to be the "I will call you" or leave before she wakes up type. And I never once in my life had to avoid a woman because of my actions or false promises. 
 I was a gentleman because that is what I was taught, how I was raised and what I saw growing up. Men treat women with respect, period. Open doors, hold chairs, help her with her coat.
 In a modern era I lived a by-gone era life. Treat people with respect, have honor and honesty and love thy neighbor. Fight for things that matter, like family, friends and the the honor of a woman.... any woman. Chivalry and honor matter. But I was not so innocent in those times not to realize the effect that my demeanor had on women. I was not the best looking of my male social group by far, but never had a shortage of female "admirers", or might I add a plefora of men who disliked me greatly. (I was gay for many years apparantly without ever knowing it.)
 A poet, a dancer, a romantic... and a gentleman.
But I wonder, how successful would I have been in romance, with all of the qualities that I possessed (and still to some degree, possess) had I been overweight, or balding. If I had a stutter, or a bad skin problem.
 I think now I know the answer to that question. I am older... not old but older... I still consider myself an attractive man and I still possess the qualities and values I had back then. (ok so I haven't done a spin lift in 20 years, but I can still move my hips). But something has changed. I no longer have the flowing mane (although my hair is still shirley temple curly if I let it grow), I don't have the flawless latin skin and the body of a 25 year old dancer. All this aside, what matters more is that I don't have the belief, the confidence and the supreme confidence that women really want a gentleman... a confident, a gentle lover and a friend.... at least not without the flowing mane and the peircing eyes. Oh and since I am older now, I should add... the money.

just one ex-scoundrels opinion....