Do men only brag about being "manly" when it's convenient for them?

[Anonymous]

I don't consider myself a "man" as I'm only 24 but look 18

Many men like to get "manly" with me on stupid shit like "masculinity" or "assertiveness" but since I'm much leaner & athletic... these same "men" ignore anything athletic against me

I'm just assuming they don't want to challenge me where I shine? Playing to my strengths kind of situation?

[MrOracle]

Being good at sports isn't an example of being manly - and I am in no way knocking it as an accomplishment, it's just not a relevant accomplishment in this context. Lots of women are very competitive athletes and that doesn't make them manly.

Being manly is more attitude than anything else. Characteristics of a manly man include:

• Having strong morals and values and sticking to them.
• Knowing that problems and challenges will come, and resolving to handle them, in most cases yourself and immediately.
• Having the confidence to take CALCULATED risks, and accepting that risks are sometimes going to lead to failures, which are to be expected and should not send you into a depression.
• Being a good leader, which means both being a competent leader and keeping the interests of your followers in mind at all times.
• Understanding that failure is expected, and is also an excellent opportunity to learn.
• Taking personal responsibility for yourself and for those you are leading.
• This includes taking responsibility for the physical safety of those you are leading.

Being athletic can help in some of these, but being athletic doesn't directly speak to these things - it's just a separate idea.


It's about being confident and competent dealing with the things that life throws at you, and knowing enough and having enough life experience to handle those challenges and not just give up.

[dynamicyandere]

A lot of insecure men like to throw their weight around and assert or establish dominance when it’s uncalled for and try “alpha up” on other men around them by comparing or bragging or bantering. A real man doesn’t need to cause a commotion about it. A real man doesn’t behave in such an obnoxious validation-seeking way. A real man can look himself in the mirror and KNOW he is a man because he has already proved that to himself. Behind closed doors, when no one is there to watch him, he has earned his own self-respect by becoming a man worthy of respect in his own eyes. When he’s just alone with his thoughts, he is secure with himself and knows who he is.

[SoIcyGang]

I know I became a "real man" recently. Nobody tries to test my masculinity anymore.

In fact now things are the opposite. Dudes won't leave me alone. I feel like I'm being hit on.

It all started happening when I ceased to give a literal fuck.

That changed everything for me. Every person treats me so much better now and my life is a lot better.

All I had to do was cease to give a damn what any person thinks of me.

That's the magic "real man" sauce right there. Makes women like you too.

[dynamicyandere]

Yeah, it comes with knowing yourself, and not needing to prove anything to anyone but yourself. Knowing yourself and being true to you. When you have that, you create a natural magnetism around you. You develop a natural charisma and command respect with ease.

[laraWM]

Yes you're probably right. You know a lot of guys act the same with girls
Also most men are raised learning they should be competitive, so maybe they feel threatened since you athletic

[Nikki1989]

Usually, any guy that brags about being manly usually isn't at all.

[lucasnabizada]

Being manly has nothing to do with being athletic- Sounds more like you think other people envy you because you are 'athletic' - and more like you maybe envy them for their assertiveness-neither one on it's own is a clear indicator of what makes someone more masculine

You can do as much sports as you like. At the end of the day the guy who can manage a social situation; solve problems confidently; is capable of taking care of things is the one who should be considered more manly in the end.

[melanieeeB]

Everyone who brags about being manly, isn't

[DreamGlow]

Right on!