In college, my room mate and I would scope "cute boys" all the time. This of course referred to the male 80+ community of Fairfield, Connecticut.
Cute boys were always walking around Penfield Beach in coordinated track suits and white, white sneakers to get in their light, doctor-recommended cardio. You'd spot them reading the paper at the cafes in Westport while their canes rested on the backs of their chairs and their perfectly coiffed soul mates -pearl-drenched and pale haired -ordered decaffeinated coffee and egg white omelettes. Cute was the boy who used to call up my lit professor in the middle of our Thursday afternoon Spring Turbo to ask her if she wanted to go walking him. Cute boys were always at Hardware stores or side of the road farm stands. They always smelled like cigars and paint and autumn (which together smell burnt and fresh and experienced) and masculinity. They always yammered on about the projects their wives were going to have to do. They did it to draw laughs and because they liked the good-old-boy shop talk with the other patrons. They seemed happy to have these projects though, which was evident by the flash of whatever was left of their pearly white grins and the following wink that came when they saw us girls inhaling their conversation. The wink that reminded us that they were once young, too. It's funny how a man's eyes never change from the time they're young to when their old. (Perhaps women's don't either, but I've never really looked.)
I've seen glimpses of CB behavior in my dating experience, but they're few and far between. Every once and again a date will stand when you excuse yourself from the table, make sure he's walking on the outside of the street and make sure you got home okay/walk you to the door. These young CBs are the type of guys who you may wonder what kind of cell phone they have after dinner because you don't see it - not once. They're focused. They get personal. They remember the details. They don't "neg you" to get you to prove your value to them - they know it and not because you're a "hot girl" but because people are valuable. They are the remnants of gentleman.
I was fortunate enough to have a few run-ins with the ultimate CB during my time in New England - Paul Newman himself. He lived in Westport where he was very involved in the local not-for-profit theater and co-owned a restaurant called The Dressing Room, located directly across from it. The first time I saw him was Fall of my freshman year. It was raining so hard I didn't even notice him until my friend Brian pointed him out. His hand motioned towards the frantic windshield wipers. "That's Paul Newman." He was wearing a yellow raincoat.
Aside from being the most heartbreakingly handsome man in the history of the world, Newman (not to wane poetic) was a class act. He married Joanne Woodard (his second marriage)in 1958 and was married to her until his death in 2008. The two lived a relatively private life in CT away from Hollywood. They had the love of a Bogey/Bacall or a Taylor/Burton, but they kept the sweetness intact until the end. With classic good looks, brains and talent, Paul Newman could have had any woman on earth, but was once quoted as saying "Why go out for a hamburger when you have steak at home?" That may be the sexiest thing I have ever heard. Check out these pics of Paul and Joanne dancing and romancing.
Honorable mention "cute boys" are as follows:
Gene Wilder
Christopher Walken
Paul McCartney
Vince Lombardi
Steve Martin Your banjo playing got you on this list, Steve. (Editor's Note: Steve Martin is most likely not reading my blog and probably out being a WILD AND CRAZY GUY!)
Christopher Reeves
Mick Maye (My grandfather)
