Manliness in the 21st Century

[the_rake]

There is so much talk about manliness and the definition always seems to be changing, with different perceptions of what is and is not manly. I will not say what is manly and I will not use the word 'alpha male' (lest GAG has a hissy fit) but I will talk about how the modern man can adapt to 21st century norms with the best, most elegant style. Maybe you will agree, maybe not.

The grooming ritual

There's something very relaxing and zen about an elaborate morning routine, but it's something women seem to put a lot more time into than men. Going about your morning in a slow, methodical manner helps prepare you psychologically for the rest of the day and pace your energies in a conservative manner. It's exactly what the modern success driven needs to prepare himself for what the workday might throw his way.

And it's not just business: men are attracted to guys with healthy skin (face masks), smooth face (shaving), good smell (aftershave) and good trim body hair (man scaping). These are just some of the things that the modern man should be thinking about incorporating into his lifestyle.

Bodyhair

We can probably agree that the neanderthal look is not very desirable anymore but the 21st century man can still keep his manly hair in tack to a degree. He just needs to make sure his body is trim - face, chest, abs and pubic hair in particular. The only place body hair is totally undesirable is the back but it is certainly not impossible to remedy this.

Hair-Style and Facial Hair

I prefer short, messy, block naped and low blend / fade styles, like the ones above - they are smart but with a sense of style. Having said that, some guys can make long hair and the hipster man-buns etc. look good.

It's just that most guys don't carry the look right and many guys have greasy hair when they try this because they do not realise they need to wash more frequently (actually men should shower at least once a day anyway and use good smelling shower gel).

As for facial hair, guys should really and truly be clean-shaven, but five o'clock can work if you can grow it well:

A beard, really and truly, is a 'no' but some guys can make the hipster beard look ok:

Facial Expressions

Become the master of these facial expressions

The wink

The smirk

The rock eyebrow

The Man Bag

Women have their handbags because they can't carry hefty purses around in their skirts and skinny jeans. Men need something too if they want to carry their possessions without suffering bulging pockets in their jeans because of chunky i-phones, 12 sets of keys and a massive wallet. If you are sporty and like to workout (you should workout, in fact), then you might prefer the first manbag: this lets you carry your gym kit around with you along with a towel and post-workout deoderant. More generally you can carry other accessories in this manbag, including the valuables already mentioned, a small mirror if you want to check if your hair needs a comb over and some eau de toilette in case you use a public restroom (there might be a bad smell, or you might want to spray the toilet as courtesy to the next person who uses it).

Make-Up

Women already know how to optimise their appeal and attract more good looking men by enhancing their natural beauty with make up. Men should be able to use advances in the cosmetic industry to their advance also. Naturally, we cannot use make up nearly as elaborate or thick as women because this would not suit us, but this does not prevent us from mastering the craft of using a very subtle blend of make up. Good examples would be: Jonny Dep, Cristiano Ronaldo and many other attractive men with celebrity status.

Fashion

Last but not the least important. For the appropriate occasion you should dress smart and if not that, then smart-casual. As a rule of thumb, everything should be a tight fit.

The 21st century man should wear tight jeans - but not skinnies.

If wearing a shirt, the crease in the seams should not extend past your shoulder and the shirt should be tucked in, just not so tight you don't have room to breathe.

Of course, there's nothing sexier than the tuxedo royale. Some men go as far as hiring a professional tailor to get the perfect fit.

And don't slack off just because you're going to the corner shop - you might meet the woman of your dreams finding groceries in the aisle. Remember, tight is always better, even for larger men, baggy clothes just shows a lack of self-confidence (trying to hide what you look like) and it makes you look plain, dull and even a little larger than you actually are. Skinny guys that want to be more jacked should still wear tighter fitting clothes also, but avoid vests and tank-tops.

[BubbleBoy69]

This metrosexual BS needs to die. Men just need to be men and go out and get shit done rather than become like women and spend 1000's of dollars getting their hair done, eyes plucked, surgery and spending money on designer clothes.

God the feminization of men is terrible.

[the_rake]

'Men just need to be men and go out and get shit done '

Interestingly, smart and attractive men seem to do better in the world of business. They are received better, perceived as more professional, more intelligent and they receive more clients and high ranking profiles. So this 'meterosexual bullshit' seems to help men get stuff done, not the reverse.

[rose004b]

*How to be a metrosexual in the 21st century.

[the_rake]

meterosexuality is masculine :)

[TacosRAwesome]

Bitch please. :p

[Ruby355]

@TacosRAwesome hahaha haha!

[coachTanthony]

The_rake... great name.. The Art of Seduction?

[the_rake]

Correct :)

[redeyemindtricks]

Hah it seems some of the ideas from our prior conversation about facial hair have made it into this take. Cool.

Dude, ANYTHING that encourages American men to wear clothes that actually *fit* is a good thing, in mah ahhhhs.
Such a shame, especially considering that American (and Canadian) men are pretty much unique 'round the world, in terms of those awesome broad upper bodies that so many of 'em have. Way too many of 'em walking around in clothes that are 2, 3, 4 sizes too big ):

__

2 constructive points:

• Tucking in a shirt, without a tie? Nah. Unless it's more of a jeans-and-big-belt-buckle outfit, where the belt buckle is enough of a centerpiece to deserve being shown off.
The tucked shirts in that one picture are... very HK, but, I'm not a fan. (Bonus points: As soon as those boys un-tuck those shirts, they'll stop rumpling so awkwardly around the midsections.)

• Big branding is ALWAYS tacky.
That giant adidas flower on the back of that bag is tacky.
Ideally, brand names should be completely invisible -- except perhaps to people "in the know".
For instance, this is Gucci Diamante leather:
cdnd.lystit.com/.../...t-2-14202326-377786612.jpeg
People who know fashion, if they see shoes or bags with that check pattern in the leather, will know Gucci when they see it -- but it's understated and classy. It's NOT in-yr-face or try-hard, and, in fact, non-fashion-heads won't even recognize it at all (the only other Gucci branding on Diamante items is at the bottom of the sole of the shoe, or inside the bag).

You shouldn't be a billboard, unless yr actually being paid to be a billboard.

Overall nice take.
I think most guys would be best served by just picking and choosing a couple of these points, and adding them into their current repertoire. Trying to follow *all* of this would just be overkill lol.

[the_rake]

Thanks for the ideas.

Yeah, the talk about facial hair got me thinking about this, something I've been meaning to talk about for ages.

As for tucking in a shirt, I used to think that also but I realised how sloppy it can look if you have a really long shirt or something that flops out. So it depends on the length of the shirt but also how you wear it. I never wear jeans past the crease of my hips and when I tuck a shirt in, I just do it lightly so there is some small room between my waste and the shirt. Like the Asian guys in that pic but you don't like that ha - I never found the problem you talk about rumpling but then I wear my shirts one time, two times max before they get washed and ironed. But if your shirt is not too long, yeah you can let it hang loose and it's not a problem: especially in the summer.

Yeah, the branding is a little tacky, you're right. I wanted something a little sporty - emphasise the other things a man can carry in his 'manbag' besides the other stuff.

[redeyemindtricks]

Tailors can shorten shirt-tails. If you have any dress shirts that are annoyingly long and look kinda like mini-dresses when they're untucked -- but otherwise they fit well -- you may want to consider that (it shouldn't be more than a $10-15 alteration, even from a good tailor/seamstress).

Pro tip: If you tuck in shirts a lot (like you wear ties to work), and you reallyreallyREALLY want them to stay tucked -- like, you don't want that back part to come untucked every time you bend over even a tiny bit, or sit down -- then you might want to invest in a pair or two of "shirt garters". Google them.
Two of my brothers are USMC officers, and, shirt garters -- however ridiculous they might look underneath the pants -- are their secret to keeping their dress-uniform shirts VERY crisply tucked in at all times.

[the_rake]

interesting first time I saw them, shame they cannot make them look more trendy but I will consider. the shirt I'm thinking of is totally ruined now anyway - bleach from benzoyl peroxide gel for acne :(

[redeyemindtricks]

If you're in the States (can't remember), go to a drugstore and buy PanOxyl 10% foaming wash. It's benzoyl peroxide, but it goes on and off in the shower, and it doesn't have to stay on yr skin, and so it won't fuck up yr clothes.

[the_rake]

Ah I did not know that. And no I am in UK but thanks again for the recommendation.

[the_rake]

I did have the PanOxyl lotion though and found a similar problem even when washing very thoroughly.

[redeyemindtricks]

The foaming wash shouldn't have that problem. Yah the lotion is hydrophobic (like all lotions) so I could see that being an issue.

[KRIEL55]

i agree with the first 2, but not really the rest. i can not stand those hairstyles, i just want short hair on a man that is it. a fade. not with extra hair on top, a simple fade, take good care of it but keep it short, no need to do anything extra. and i get that men should have access to makeup as well if they want it, but i personally would be extremely turned off if i found out a guy wears make up. it just seems like something only bisexual or homosexual men would do. i want a man as heterosexual as me. and its nice to have a sense of fashion but i also can't stand all these preppy and "hipster" styles a lot of men have. i just want him having a casual style. i prefer a man to wear loose casual clothes. whatever happened to just a plain tee, loose jeans, and sneakers (dont even get me started on the shoes i've seen men wear. instant turn off). its so rare to find a simple man these days (the thing about me is i do like dressing up, i love getting my hair done, i keep my nails long, and i love makeup, but i dont want a guy who's obsessed with fashion. i find that weird and unattractive) that when i do finally see a guy with a simple fashion sense, i get extremely turned on and automatically drawn to them.. i just do not appreciate all these changes.

[the_rake]

'i just want short hair on a man that is it. a fade.'

yeah, that's pretty much what I said:

'I prefer short, messy, block naped and low blend / fade styles, like the ones above - they are smart but with a sense of style.'

I said that it was possible to make the other styles look good if you know how to wear them properly (most men do not) but that short - a low blend fade - was still preferable.

'i get that men should have access to makeup as well if they want it, but i personally would be extremely turned off if i found out a guy wears make up.'

I'm only talking about a very subtle blend, like in the pictures posted.

'its so rare to find a simple man these days'

I don't think that is true: I see average Toms, Dicks and Harrys everywhere.

[KRIEL55]

well yeah i did see that you mentioned a fade but i dont like all these extra things added. like how its cut on the side but then there's hair in the middle. that doesn't appeal to me whatsoever and even if a guy can pull of the bun, i find it very girly (its a bun- a hairstyle ballerinas make) and unattractive. and combining it with a beard just makes it look even more strange in my opinion. and yeah, i know you didn't mean full on eye makeup but im just used to men not knowing much about makeup. it'd be weird to know he actually researches makeup and goes to a makeup store and purchases foundation or concealer for himself. i would most definitely question his sexuality. not that there is anything wrong with bisexual or homosexual men, but i would think he's gay and im not into bisexual men so i would never approach him. and ones in a while i do see some simple men but its still just not the same, like i met this guy with a simple style that i liked and he always matched too

[KRIEL55]

so it was clear he had SOME fashion sense but just preferred to dress more casual. but then he wore these dressy shoes i dont even know what they're called but as soon as i saw that, my attraction to him just disappeared. i just dont like it

[the_rake]

yeah, it was hard finding good fade cuts on google image but the first guy was ok. I have my hair like that just with less of a pronounced fade and not as much hair on top.

'even if a guy can pull of the bun, i find it very girly '

ok, but some chicks will dig it. I'm just talking about what could be considered 'contemporary meterosexual styles' and how the modern, masculine man can adapt to these 21st century trends, rather than reverting to some macho caveman mentality, e. g. "all young men nowadays are prissy boys". In my view, a truly masculine man would respond to the trends of the day with style. I'm not saying you need a man bun, or even make up for that, that is just me thinking outside the box a little.

Well, you automatically think foundation or concealer is feminine but when women first started wearing jeans for the first time, we probably did not see that as anything but manly. Social perceptions change...

[the_rake]

... Social perceptions change and we can now think of women that wear skinny jeans, and jeans cut especially for their models as feminine. I think a light touch of foundation or concealer that hides blemishes and gives the man a more masculine, olive complexion would not be considered feminine if we gave it 100, or maybe just 50 years.

'i would most definitely question his sexuality.'

I don't think this is homophobic but it definitely does reveal a narrow-minded perspective.

[KRIEL55]

of course some girls like the buns, there's always a group of people who like a specific thing. i know that some girls love everything you mentioned, just like others dont. but im just pointing out my opinions on it all. i just can't stand the "hipster" style altogether. its nothing but a rip off from the hippie style. nothing original or new about it. just hippie with a modern twist. and its not that i like men who live in the past, i agreed with the first 2 things you said because nobody actually wants a musty man and less hair is better. just like most men dont like hairy women, most women dont like hairy men. times have definitely changed. i dont expect a guy to look like a stereotypical "manly" man but some men are just too feminine. i dont mind fitted pants but a lot wear skinny jeans and really tight clothes. i hate how it looks, i dont care for baggy clothes either but at least loose. i like a clean cut look but not a feminine one. and the reason i think that foundation is

[KRIEL55]

feminine is because only women, and transgender men, use it. yes jeans were considered masculine at first but it wasn't that bizarre for women to wear them because they are just a type of pants. women started wearing pants before jeans came along. they started wearing bloomers and then evolved to actual pants and jeans so it wasn't just out of nowhere. and yeah i won't be surprised if in 50-100 years makeup for men will be a thing, but for now, like i said earlier, you only see transgender men wearing it so its pretty easy for people to make assumptions that your slowly making a transformation by starting out with wearing makeup.

[KRIEL55]

and i get what your saying when you said i come off as narrow minded but this is basically the coming out generation, more and more people are turning out to be part of the LGBT community and men who are part of it express themselves in ways that include wearing makeup. so if i saw a man wearing tight fitting clothes at sephora and purchasing makeup for himself, no way would i be like "he's 100% straight. his love of fashion and makeup doesn't mean anything" i wouldn't automatically assume he's homosexual but i would definitely think he's at least bisexual.

[kat_gran]

You just gave men the secret weapon to be the hottest possible version of themselves and most of them are dissing it off! LMAO!!!

I have to say, when the make up part came.. I thought waht? ahha but i won't lie, it is true and it is used on male models too.. and I once hooked up with a male model who was soo stunningly gorgeous! And I can definitely tell you I am sure he fits into all of these.

So kuddos to you my friend, let everybody in these comments hate... They clearly do not know the time and effort it truly takes to be a 10!
No one was born a 10, maybe a 9... But to be a 10, it requires effort... and all those people who are extremely hot definitely have a lot of these qualities, especially the hottttt men.

Nice MyTake! ;-)

[the_rake]

thanks, I'm glad someone liked. I admit I was pushing boundaries with the whole make-up/man bag/man bun things (I've never tried those things actually!) but I think we need to look outside the box a bit since masculinity is always being redefined. in the 21st century, meterosexuality seems to be the key defining feature. people refer to this as the feminisation of men but I do not think that that is a fair assumption. and you are right - to be anything above an 8 takes extreme dedication, though I never believed in such a thing as 10 myself the people that came close to this were truly in control of their appearance, diet, exercise, etc.

[kat_gran]

Very true... When I was young (a teenager) i was always on top of my appearance and was always an 8-9, now im just super chill and I'm a happy 7 on good days an 8.
But it does take a lot of time, effort and dedication.
And yes you were pushing boundaries on those topics, but those who have tried it/are doing it are the men top of the line and the ones INDEED who have all the women in awe of their handsomeness and beauty, so you are right.

[the_rake]

yep and I am well aware that if the average guy tries this it will look a disaster, but people can take small steps. I would start with manscaping, buying some tight fitting clothes and looking into a decent low blend fade cut for most.

[Nothanks700]

So basically what your saying is all men should look virtually identical. Wtf happened to individuality? I don't want a beard, it itches. I don't feel like putting on makeup non-ironically, and I definitely don't want whatever the hell a man bag is (one of the greatest parts about being a man is that I don't have to carry a bag, wait yes I do, my significant other will always make me hold her purse). "Manliness" has one constant, and that is Confidence! If you don't have the confidence to have to try out these ridiculous suggestions, no amount of douche cross necklaces and aviator sunglasses will help you on your quest. Want to be a man? Grow a pair!

[the_rake]

I think there is plenty of room for individuality in my suggestions. Makeup was just food for thought - something to help guys if they want to be on the same level of physical attractiveness as women. I think a manbag is a good idea - not all men have a woman to carry for them. As for a beard, I said 'clean-shaven is better'. As for confidence, I don't think you have to be unconfident to want to look good. So basically you're misinterpreting many of the ideas.

[Nothanks700]

I was in a bit of a cynical mood when I wrote that, so maybe a little unfair. Here's my point though. Women all too often dress and act virtually identical until you get to know them, and it's extremely annoying. When was the last time you were on a college campus? 80% of the women have turned into more subtle Reese Witherspoones. I wish women would let their true personalities shine through instead of conforming to what the media says they should look and act like. I certainly don't think we should also put pressure on men to do the same.

[the_rake]

[PT 1]
'Women all too often dress and act virtually identical until you get to know them, '

You're talking about commercialised attitudes to fashion and I agree to an extent. But look at what your everyday Tom, Dick and Harry wears:

www.shapefit.com/average-guys-guide-to-style.jpg

vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/.../latest

ak-hdl.buzzfed.com/.../...c-9402-1302145178-51.jpg

...

[the_rake]

[PT 2]
And compare that to the effort most women put into their appearance

i00.i.aliimg.com/.../...n-Shirt-Tops-Plus-Size.jpg

www.lulurose.co.uk/.../1-2.jpg

s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/.../...97bcdad5d9.jpg

It shouldn't be considered a shock that more women are considered desirable on the whole and only a few men actually get what they want (sexually and romantically). Men just don't put in the same effort.

[kat_gran]

@MyTake Owner, your RESPONSE was the BOMB to this. I could not agree more.

[Nothanks700]

@kat_gran I agree, very nice response. You really put some effort into that, and made your point.

[Nothanks700]

meant to direct that comment to the mytake author

[the_rake]

@Nothanks700
@kat_gran

thanks :)

[stonerboner]

I agree with your points about manscaping and grooming. Clothes that fit? I agree there also. As someone else said, individuality in also important. I tend to dress quite differently from the average guy. Last night I went to a party and wore a black tee, casual style sports jacket, a colorful tribal sarong and bare feet. My friends are used to me dressing in an unconventional way. Others, just kinda look at me and then at each other questioningly. In the end, confidence is probably the most important thing to wear. A truly confident guy could walk naked into a party and pull it off.

[the_rake]

' individuality in also important '

Yes, I would agree with this and like I said to the other guy, I think there is plenty of breathing space in my article for individuality. In fact if more men were meterosexuals, you would see a lot MORE individuality.

'A truly confident guy could walk naked into a party and pull it off.'

With true confidence you can pull virtually anything off. But most people need to take a metaphorical sip of the cool-aid first. This means that most people will need to follow social norms to some degree, or they simply will not feel comfortable with themselves.

[stonerboner]

What I didn't say on my previous post was that I have experimented with makeup as far back as 10th grade. I was in a musical production and liked the way I looked in stage makeup. So I still like to use a little eye liner to bring out my eyes better. And sometimes a foundation can really help even thing out. I'm pretty fair so I use a tanning cream at bedtime and a toner if going out at night. I get some shit from friends sometimes. But most of the time they can't even tell. I just think I look better.

[the_rake]

interesting, I used a little foundation and eye liner for a stage production once also: I did not ever reuse it though. I just think that if women can hide their blemishes and make their facial contours look different through make up, it's something men should be able to do also. it's just a shame people say that this kind of thing is gay or unmasculine when really it's just about highlighting your own attractive qualities.

[Babybebe15]

Nice take. I agree with most of it except the facial hair. I love facial hair. A short groomed beard can really make a man go from a 5 to a 10 because of how much more well kept and masculine it can make one look. I know many women have differing views on this, but it still is something to consider instead of completely shutting it out.

[the_rake]

Yeah I agree that it is something to be considered. Personally I can't grow a beard (just a slight shadow) but I put it out there anyway because some guys do wear it well and some women do like that look. It's the same deal with long hair.

[Phoenix98]

*shakes head* lol.

No what makes a man manly is genetics, hard work and effort a sound mind and a good heart and that has echoed across time and never changed.

As for the part of this in regards to fashion there is a saying,
The Suit doesn't make the man, The Man makes the Suit

[the_rake]

'The Suit doesn't make the man, The Man makes the Suit'

Interesting that you would assume I believe to the contrary.

[Phoenix98]

I'm not assuming it, that saying as been around for ages longer then you or I have been around.

[the_rake]

i'm saying you think I disagree with it otherwise you would not have mentioned it in that context.

I don't disagree with it.

[Phoenix98]

Nope I was just saying it in the context that I view your fashion portion of your take a bit differently then you wrote it. As it "seems" that you mean it in the way that the clothes make the man, instead of the other way around. That's just how it seems I might be wrong.

I'm just voicing how I see it, that is all.

[the_rake]

Ok, but I am not inferring such a statement in anyway :)

[Phoenix98]

Yeah I know tat know lol.

[the_rake]

It's just the way you wrote 'shakes head' and, 'what makes a man manly is... hard work', etc. that's the context that made me believe you thought negatively about my article and that you would I assume I believed to the contrary of such statements.

[Phoenix98]

No I like your article it's good, just misinterpretation I suppose, though in my mind to me what makes a man is the context of his character and the type of person he is more then what's on the outside like clothes, though genetics do play a part in making a man manly you know deep voice, big defined jaw, hair etc.

But I'm also not disagreeing with what you said either about the clothes as clothes do help give a man a style that's his.

[the_rake]

'I'm also not disagreeing with what you said either about the clothes as clothes do help give a man a style that's his'

Thanks, and this is the essence of what I'm trying to communicate. Guys are not manly because of the clothes they wear - if I had to pick a certain trait it would be the achievements that they have made. This thread should be interpreted as something that masculine men already do - that is as I interpret masculinity - success oriented with a sense of decorum and style. The only other situation would be a guy trying to 'fake it 'till he makes it'. I don't know if you would agree with that saying or not. I think there is a grain of truth to it, just don't go nuts on the 'faking' part is what I would say to these men.

[Phoenix98]

And I agree with that message though you should add in what you've just said to me so some people like I did before don't get confused and misinterpret what your trying to say. But other then that good stuff and I agree with the baggy clothes portion of your article o so true baggy clothes are never better, always go for nicely fitted clothing that is comfortable.

[the_rake]

yeah I know but it seems like in most of my articles there are so many psychologically different ways to interpret things that people are going to misinterpret so now I have just made peace with it. if I made a similar article again though, I would probably include such a paragraph. that said, last time I tried to address ALL the misconceptions it was a convoluted mess: www.girlsaskguys.com/.../a24039-the-focus-of-gender-issues-should-be-shifted-towards-egalitarianism

[Phoenix98]

Yeah, o well tried your best and wow lol weren't kidding.

[the_rake]

if I was gonna rewrite it I'd do away with all the stuff about man-bags, make up etc. because that's the stuff most guys seem to want to focus on. they'd rather I wrote a boring generic thread about a square guy with short hair, clean shave and a baggy work suit, then glorified him and said something about how this average Joe symbolises the American dream.

[Phoenix98]

Well in the grand scheme of things what makes someone a man varies per culture, we all have our own unique or rather different idea of what a man is.

For you, you focus more on the outside accessories, makeup -_- and clothing while for me I tend to focus more on the outside in what genetics has blessed me and other men with, physical aesthetics, as well as the inside, our character, personalities, mindset. Both can either make or break a man or create a boy or a man, neither view or opinion are wrong nor right, both can make a man, manly.

[the_rake]

Interesting, and I concede that what constitutes a man is indeed subjective but I would say it is more true that I visualise masculine traits as adapting to the trends of the modern world. That's because we live in a individualist society where men have to compete to survive. It is not so much a case of what we wear as how we behave. If we were men during the French revolution, we would dress (and behave) according to those norms.

world4.eu/.../directoire-costume-civique-3.jpg

In the 21st century, it is a case of following the commercial trends. This is how our masculine man survives: first he adapts and follows the trends (or at least UNDERSTANDS the trends) before he tries to compete and win. This could be fashion but also many other things.

'genetics '

This is a very different topic that would take some time to fully address. For now, I will just say that a truly masculine man will have or develop the determination to overcome his genetic failings.

[Waffles731]

I very much agree with the whole man bag thing,
I carry an L. L Bean Field Bag
cdni. llbean. com/.../288021_74_41
You know, just in case I need to transport my laptop and a box of shotgun shells

[the_rake]

@Waffles731

Shotgun shells, lol.

[Waffles731]

I really do carry the bag, and it really is a field bag

[Waffles731]

So binoculars, trail food, and shotgun shells are all things that wouldn't be or look out of place in it, it just happens to be in the messenger bag design

[the_rake]

@Waffles731

You make it sound like you're some SAS sniper. Maybe in future I will have to leave it to you to write takes like this, haha.

[Waffles731]

No, I just like the outdoors,
And someday when I get out of this shitty state I plan to do some hunting

[Waffles731]

Is hunting a thing in sweden?

[the_rake]

@Waffles731

I would not know, I'm from UK. I always wanted to learn how to fire a gun though.

[Waffles731]

Oh, I thought you were someone else, and hunting isn't much of a thing in The U. K and its got class divides from a while back

[the_rake]

@Waffles731

Very true. Some forms of hunting, namely fox hunting, traditionally were practiced by the aristocratic upper classes. It was banned a few years ago along with other kinds of hunting like poaching which have always been illegal because of class ties to the land (private property laws from feudal relic era). But there are definitely places you can hunt in UK.

[Waffles731]

Fox hunting isn't even hunting in my opinion, considering you just uncage a fox and let dogs chase and kill it I say its ritual slaughter.
Here one of the benefits of the U. S is that there is no class element to hunting

[the_rake]

@Waffles731

Yeah fox hunting is a very barbaric tradition in my opinion. Unfortunately, it still happens under the radar.

[Waffles731]

Its animal abuse and a sorry excuse for 'hunting' practiced by rich assholes

[the_rake]

agreed. the only justification I have heard for it is that it is the most effective way of killing foxes that attack farmers' livestock.

[Cardiobroker]

So you’re saying nothing says manliness like obsession with fashion and grooming? Lol. That’s not very old school.

In my view men are here to work. Take care of their families. Treat women like queens outside of the bedroom and like sexdolls in the bedroom. Pay for everything. Earn respect. Protect people around them. Discipline the kids. And make their wives happy.

That’s what I do and I have a very happy wife and life.

[Grungenoreos]

Everyone has their own opinions but I agree with most of this

[the_rake]

hooray!

[Grungenoreos]

Yee 😊

[TheGreyMan]

This feels like I'm reading something from GQ. Some pretty good tips here.

[the_rake]

thanks, glas someone agrees

[Waffles731]

I very much agree with the whole man bag thing,
I carry an L. L Bean Field Bag
cdni.llbean.com/.../288021_74_41

[the_rake]

I'm considering investing in one. Ideally, something that can carry a laptop, gym kit and maybe some fragrances / general accessories.

[brianna_b]

The recurring theme in all those photos is discomfort mixed with obvious effort.

Apparently the 21st Century Man has a mirror in his pocket and a rod up his ass.

[the_rake]

so you think this guy is uncomfortable?

beta.theartofcharm.com/.../high-value-man.jpeg

or do you think he is too busy thinking about how awesome his tuxedo looks?

[brianna_b]

That's kind of the same question

[the_rake]

there's nothing wrong with a bit of discomfort if it makes you a total bad ass.

[brianna_b]

. . . which a tuxedo does not, just to be clear.

[the_rake]

If you seriously think that then we will have to beg to differ.

[brianna_b]

I think you mean "agree to disagree," but never mind.

[Beautybynature]

Masculinity in America is a joke
Masculinity means to respect and protect women folk! look at all the 50s sitcoms and men throughout history in all cultures... family men who provided and protected
a male is not a man

[Anonymous]

It's joke because men can easily be manipulated and listen to women all day, It was joke before too cos there were traditional rules that said women alwayd comr first lol Men would aleays be second gender and would made to be believed that manliness is what womej judge you to be

[the_rake]

I think men are 10 times more easily manipulated when they think they have to fit some stereotypical macho gender role. That's how men end up getting deported over seas and fighting wars and being worker ants for some fat cigar smoking charlies. You're saying if men follow this advice they would be manipulated by women but I don't think that's true either. Men that embrace their feminine qualities are more masculine and more in control of themselves in many ways because they listen to their own desires and listen do what they want to do, not what other people think is masculine.

[Opinion Owner]

But more men aren't

[the_rake]

More men aren't what?

[Foreverconfused21]

I think you forgot the main that that every guy in your pictures has, and is more important today then ever before

Being in shape

Good read overall tho :)

[the_rake]

yeah, being in shape helps, so does being facially aesthetic.

BUT that does not mean you cannot do anything about your appearance just because you are not the most attractive guy. Women are less visually oriented than men anyway.

I touched on this in the article:

'Remember, tight is always better, even for larger men, baggy clothes just shows a lack of self-confidence (trying to hide what you look like) and it makes you look plain, dull and even a little larger than you actually are. Skinny guys that want to be more jacked should still wear tighter fitting clothes also, but avoid vests and tank-tops.'

[yololoyo]

This is bullshit cuz being a man is all about attitude so you clearly don't get it

[the_rake]

that's just your interpretation of something that's clearly a social construct so actually, you're the one not getting it.

[yololoyo]

Cock sucker

[the_rake]

clearly I must have effected you

[fr4nk]

The title is all wrong, misleading. The rest of the article is fine but it's just a personal opinion/personal taste. IMOppeople should really do their own thing and not follow trends too much/do what magazines, blogs etc tell them to.

[the_rake]

like I said to another user, there is much, much more room for individuality with meterosexuality than there is with the boring stuff average men typically wear. anyway the title is there for a reason, because I'm sick of the nonsense macho traits everybody ascribes to masculinity traits. e. g. look through what the guys (and some women) have posted on this take.

[Anonymous]

still today 2010's Ocurried
img.buzzfeed.com/.../...ide-10417-1449718426-7.jpg

[PT1911]

No thanks.

I'll stick to my assortment of dress shirts, boot cut jeans, anda good pair of work boots.

[the_rake]

pretty much what I wear. don't get why people have these impressions of my article, but ok!