GQ strives to save the endangered concept of a gentleman from certain extinction

Let's get real here: it's a Tucker Max/Joe Francis/Jon Gosselin/Kanye West world we're living in, where the term "gentleman" seems as outdated as dressing for dinner and controlling that nasty temper. But GQ thinks and/or hopes the gentleman is not dead. That notion comes in handy, seeing that the magazine has an upcoming charitable effort dubbed The Gentleman's Fund, in its third year, that raises support and awareness for "issues that are essential to modern men." Somewhat vague and tagline-ish, but their heart seems to be in the right place. As part of the project -- there's a fancy dress-up ball on Oct. 28 in New York -- the pub has done a study on "The 21st Century Gentleman," finding that the majority of men polled, 67 percent, think it's increasingly important to behave like a gentleman today. (As opposed to, say, knuckle-dragging Neaderthals). Their role models are Hollywood luminaries and political rock stars like President Barack Obama, George Clooney, Hugh Jackman and Will Smith. Wow, no David Letterman? Seventy-one percent of those polled donate money and time to charities, favoring education, kids and arts causes. The highest compliment is to be dubbed a gentleman, said both the men and women surveyed, scoring considerably higher than attributes like smart, funny, successful and handsome. (You'll have to show your work on that one, GQ). In general, the study presents a genteel attitude I haven't seen outside a Merchant Ivory flick or a Ketel One ad. If only it were true. Wouldn't that be nice?

—Posted by T.L. Stanley