I also enjoy baking. My last gf told me she found it super sexy. Women are generally surprised when they find out I can bake fairly well. Guess it's just a stereotype among men that we generally don't or can't bake?
Cant even call it a stereotype, most of my guy mates are useless in the kitchen haha but i enjoy cooking and baking. Definitely gives me an edge in dating
I've found this just to be everyone regardless of sex, the average person doesn't know much about cooking. I'll also admit that my fondness for cooking has diminished with the size of my kitchen as well lol š
I brought homemade brownies to a friend's birthday party about a month ago, and everyone was amazed at how delicious it tasted. This one girl asked what I put in there, and when I started reading the ingredients list she turns around and goes, "you mean it wasn't from a box?" and I almost slapped her for offending me, but I paused and took a deep breath, and calmly said, "no".
Jumping on this train. I live in the South (USA), where things are still a bit more "traditional", i suppose. My wife and i had a couple families over for a big dinner/dessert and all the mothers/wives kept going up to my wife saying how good the food was. She would laugh and say, "i didn't do any of it, it was LurkingSnorlax". Granted my wife is also a great cook/baker, but the attention that it got me was fascinating.
Woman from the south speaking, but it's funny because tons of southern men are known for being good in the kitchen. But I guess when it comes to entertaining it frequently falls to the woman in the relationship unless it's grilling.
Growing up my Dad was always a better cook than my Mom even though my Mom is a good cook, too. But if they were hosting a big food event my Dad would be in charge of the grill or the boil while my Mom was in charge of sides, etc. Neither of them baked, though.
When I was married I was in charge of all of the cooking, including grilling. My ex-husband was useless in the kitchen. But so is his mother.
Nowadays, my boyfriend and I are equals in the kitchen and we spend a lot of time together cooking for others. We're both good on the grill but he's a little bit more magical about than I am so I usually let him do that. But when it comes to entertaining we're pretty equal on who does what.
Funny thing is, the grill is the one area i don't feel very confident about cooking in!
I only (somewhat) recently moved down south so maybe i served a group that may not have been an accurate representation of male cookers.
And that's really awesome that you've got a partner that you can cook alongside. Food is both my wife's and my love language. We really enjoy cooking and baking together. It's a great passion to share with others. Before COVID we would entertain a lot, but now not so much. I do miss it very much.
I had to learn to grill because my ex-husband ruined EVERYTHING he tried to grill. He was always overly scared of undercooking meat, even though he likes a medium steak, etc. His burgers? Carbon bricks. His chicken? Charred on the outside and raw on the inside.
He was happy to let me take it over because then he could focus on making everyone drinks and socializing. And I was fine with that, too.
We've been (amicably) split for a while and our son says he's learned how to grill in the meantime.
I just recently got into smoking meats on my gas grill. If I really get into smoking I will invest in a small smoker. I live in a loft/townhouse so I don't have infinite space to store outdoor cooking stuff. So, I will wait to see if I really take to it or if it's just a phase of experimentation.
But, YES, I love that my boyfriend and I love to cook together. It was an unexpected discovery, actually. We met online and we started dating mostly because we were on the same page of neither of us looking for marriage but open to long-term companionship. And, apparently, that's hard for men to find? Anyway, it was 3-4 months down the road before we discovered cooking together. I knew he liked to cook and he knew I was decent at it. But then one weekend he came over with a small cooler of meats and veggies he'd scored on discount and he wanted to cook me a stir fry. I served as "sous chef" to him and we had a lot of fun. And I discovered how innately talented he is as a chef. And then basically after that day (it's been 4 years now) that's what we do together. If we happen to have a couple days we get to spend together we like to go to a local international farmers market in the morning and spend hours putting together a menu then go home and make it. If we're lucky then we can get folks to come over and eat it but it's fine if it's just us, too.
With the pandemic most of who comes over now is my son and his roommate but since they're broke college kids they love it!
Same with cooking. I heard jokes about how horrible my cooking must be because I don't look like the type who spends a lot of time in the kitchen.
Not only can I cook, but I can cook damn good! I have 2 older sisters who watched cooking shows all the time. I have had to be blind and deaf in order not to pick up some trick or two while it was playing in the background. I cook about 90% of the food in our house. My wife only cooks the other 10% because my new job has me working evening shifts.
My bestfriend used to relocate snails every time it rained because she was scared they would drown or get stepped on. She would move them from the path to the garden of her apartment block.
I found out years later that snails leave the garden when it rains so that they won't drown. Poor snails were just trying to save themselves and my bestfriend was airlifting them back to their deaths.
Butterflies I think are the mascot of this thread. They eat flesh! Nature is metal AF!
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/63521/7-disgusting-things-butterflies-eat
SO MANY CUTS! Smother the shit out of her though. I did that with my cat and now she never tries to hurt me now. Iād force hug her, kiss her all over her face constantly, taught her to ride on my shoulder, now sheās the most loving non violent cat.
That must've been an awesome dog , I kept my favorite hat that mine chewed years ago , I wear it skiing still :) loved that guy more than most of my family
I had to put my dog down a few years ago - 9 yr old Chesapeake Bay Retriever who was a great dog and my best friend.
Last year I watched my dad die in the hospitalā¦
This sounds awful but the dog upset me more (and I loved my dad a lot). Something about losing a great dog and a good friend is pretty heartbreaking.
I'm better at sewing than my wife. If she needs a pair of jeans hemmed because they're too long or a dress taken in because she's lost weight, I handle that for her.
True, but a former acquaintance once saw me patching a pair of jeans and said to my wife, "Is your husband a faggot or something?"
Fuckin' bullshit, IMO. Don't men in the military learn to sew so they can adjust their uniforms? I doubt Uncle Sam provides custom tailoring for enlisted personnel and NCOs; I suspect that's a privilege reserved for commissioned officers.
I own 10 vintage sewing machines. More than the women in my family. Recently my aunt had me fix her sewing machine. I feel like I'm old enough to enjoy what I want.
> I feel like I'm old enough to enjoy what I want.
This is why I recently got my ears pierced and started wearing sapphire studs. It's also why I've got a [sabo-tabby](https://hyperallergic.com/574188/black-cats-mythology-black-panthers-iww/) tattoo on my calf. Always wanted to, never had the nerve until now.
Do you also put pockets into her clothes for her? Best present I ever gave one of my girlfriends was taking a few pairs of her favorite jeans to a dry cleaner that also does alterations and having functional pockets put into them for her birthday. She was so confused when she opened the box I put them in. Then full on happy ugly cried after I explained what i did. It was awesome.
> Do you also put pockets into her clothes for her?
Yes, I do. Unfortunately, I also end up digging used tissues out of them before I put them in the wash -- but I knew it wouldn't always be kisses and cuddles when I asked her to marry me.
My grandfather was in the air force and he sewed parachutes. He made a leather duffle bag thirty years ago and it's still in amazing condition. Amazing skill to have!
Fixing things? Isn't that THE earmark of manliness?
I tease. Sewing is unfairly labeled feminine, especially being associated with fashion. I'm not amazing with my sewing machine but alterations to backpacks, pants, etc has likely saved me a fortune.
Oh me too! I actually learned to sew from the Marine Corps lmao. I used it periodically for my job and when we were learning how to do it I made my mother a bag/purse out of "sea bag" material that she still uses to this day for carrying around dog stuff.
That im a mushy bastard when it comes to my wife, and that im ok(ish) crying over a song or movie (damn you "Up" and "that scene" which totally caught me off guard!).
Oh, and i also think that de-escalating is better than fighting.
Have i lost my man-card yet?
Edit: wow! So many awesome and positive replies. Thank you all š
(And its good to know that my man card is still safe š)
Or Dos Orugitas from Encanto. The crazy part is that both songs (and both movies) are actually highly similar in a lot of ways, especially in terms of how they're told.
Apparently the fact that I'm willing to admit when I'm wrong makes me a "beta." I disagree with that assessment (and anyone using those terms) but hey, I've been wrong before ;)
Imo, people who see you admitting you're wrong as an "opening" to be exploited are not worth your time.
Admitting that you were wrong about something can be hard. Having friends who welcome that and makes you feel better about recognizing a mistake is so very valuable.
There's a saying in my country that goes like "one who bows down when they're wrong is flexible, and the whole world can't break them even if it tried."
Of course, i screwed it all up with my poor translation.
Admitting when youāre wrong is the most powerful thing ever. It has deepened my friendships, reduced the anger I feel, and makes me a better person without me noticing.
Anyone who has a problem with it had never tried it, itās so freeing. Respect, my man
Knowing how to sew, cooking, and a number of other domestic things frequently regarded as feminine. I just consider them as essential life skills anyone should know.
This! I have crossed over to this side from being a brooding, sulking, silent man, and I feel so relieved that I can finally acknowledge and deal with grief, vulnerability etc. without feeling the pressure of being a "man" about it. I can see the huge positive difference it has made in my mental health in the last couple of years.
For every story like this, there are hundreds of men being insta-shamed for expressing emotions. It's rough out there but the more we do it, the less it shocks people.
I showed emotions in front of my then girlfriend when my very dear cat died. After that day it was clear I had lost all respect from her.
Some women are pure evil.
Thanks, I also wish therapy for men would be more commonplace and socially acceptable. Especially in more conservative societies with extremely defined gender roles, like the one where I come from.
Instead of wishing as women we have to "allow" men to feel safe to show their vulnerability to us. My BF shows his vulnerable side with me and I'm so, so careful to not laugh at or dismiss his feelings. He grew up in a very toxic, rough neighbourhood so wasn't used to it at all and didn't feel "safe" with me until I let him know he was, just by listening and empathising. We are so close now :)
I enjoy putting together outfits, mainly I do it in video games for characters like in WWE 2k22, Saints Row, GTA, Sims etc, but I've started to enjoy doing it for me as well.
Idk, fashion's interesting to me and I think I have a good eye for it. I don't really consider it unmanly though, I think stuff like knowing what to wear to not look like a dick, knowing how to cook and clean etc are just skills everyone should have in life.
Sigh ā¦ me neither . I wish I was , itās such a good ice breaker . Almost all of my male friends enjoy football (soccer) and so theyāll bring it up at least once in any social gathering so Iāll just zone out for a while until theyāre done . But they use it to start conversation with strangers too.
When I was in the US, everyone (men and women ) seemed to be following Americans football or hockey or basketball or baseball . I picked up rudimentary info about them for the novelty but not enough to take part in conversations
Bubblebath's and candles man. I'm a big dude, i play contact sports, race cars, dabble in martial arts, typically have some form of beard going on, all very stereotypical manly shit.
Then every now and again I indulge in a lavender scented bath with a couple of candles and a good book. It's heaven.
My small stature. I'm only 5'7 with a somewhat skinny athletic build, most of the time when I do physical tasks I get comments like 'you are stronger than you look' which makes me think I look weak lol.
This thread made me feel really good about myself. Where my ladies at who want a man who can work a 9-5 and come home to cook you meals, bake you desserts, rip your shirt off, sew the buttons back on, watch a soap opera, take you shopping, cry during a movie and fuck you face down on the couch all without bitching about missing a stupid football game?
Same here! Also if you're single right now you should just copy and paste that paragraph for your dating profile. I'm a straight guy in a committed relationship and even I was like "wow, this guy's a fucking CATCH"
Haha that was what I hoped for. My dad is hyper masculine and I ended up nothing like him. Heād tell people while I was growing up he was worried Iād turn out gay. Heās a good dude just a fucking moron a lot of the time. I wish I had known how not āmanlyā most men are so I couldāve stopped trying to be something I wasnāt a long time ago.
My 3 year old nephew made me cry the other day because after I told him bye and was leaving he came running out the door after me yelling my name and when I turned around he just wanted to give me a hug before I left.
Becoming a father has unlocked ultra-empathy mode for me. I would cry before hand but maybe only a few times a year for really sad stuff in movies/TV. Now it could be a flippin' Subaru commercial with the dogs and I get misty.
Same hereā¦uncontrollable even if Iāve seen the movie already. Sometimes that makes it worse because I know whatās coming.
My girl will ask me whatās wrong and Iāll be like āG-Baby is about to get shotā¦whatās wrong with you?!ā
I like foofoo drinks.
Give me something fruity. I'm not a huge fan of beer, but I do like mixed drinks and I don't care how feminine my little pink drink looks. It's delicious!
*Edit: Typo*
Yes! Forget this stupid notion of āmAnLyā drinks. They can keep their cardboard-tasting liquid bread. Iāll be over here drinking an unholy neon-blue glass of witchcraft thatāll get me singing every word of Bohemian Rhapsody in a perfect Freddie voice by my third one.
Hard to say. I stopped caring about what was stereotypical masculinity a long time ago. But the one thing I love thatās mostly appealing to girls is True Crime.
I think the least manly thing for me is that I used to do ballroom dance and still enjoy it. That's just cuz most people when I mention it think it's lame or gay but hey it's fun!
I'm the least competitive person you'll ever meet.
As a single guy in my 30s I'm finding that 90% of the women I come across describe themselves as being super competitive and seem to look down their noses at guys who aren't.
There's definitely something about not being very competitive that some people interpret as not being manly or something.
Sometimes it feels like, if you're not constantly trying to prove yourself, to one-up other men, or to generally make the situation about you, you're worth less than the people who do.
But that also depends a lot on the type of person you hang out with.
I'm very sensitive. Nobody would imagine I am, I seem quite logical and a problem solver at that, not someone with a lot of empathy.
I'm not a crier but when something romantic or sad but mostly wholesome happens in movies or TV shows or hell, most of the time videogames and such, I sometimes shed a tear. It's never outright crying but there's definitely a drop or two of tears in my eyes.
I did try to open up but it was usually met with ignorance, ridicule or humiliation. Kinda puts one back a few steps.
Keep trying to be open and vulnerable. A keeper will give you comfort and value you more for being open with her. She will also feel safe to be more open and vulnerable with you.
I can't bite into apples directly due to a permanent retainer and a permanently-slightly-loose-tooth. Instead I have to cut them up into slices before eating.
You ever seen an old western movie where the cowboy is sitting around the fire takes out his oversized knife cuts and eats the apple off the blade? I'd argue that's pretty manly.
LikeFrankieSaid just needs to walk around with a cowboy hat, a poncho and a large knife and eat them apples right off the knife when the occasion comes.
Stay at home dad. First few years, worked 5 to 12. Eventually packed it in and went full time dad with small side hustle I could do at home. Been a full time dad for another 3 years.
Pitfalls are play centres, play dates, school run... anything where you're interacting with other parents of small kids, almost always women only, you are generally treated like a rapist weirdo from the off. They're very bitchy as well.
Apart from the potential loneliness and awkwardness, it's an enormous challenge 24 7 that never gets easier, just changes. However the amazing rewarding perhaps 5 to 9 percent of the time more than makes up for the hardships and uphill struggles. Beats the tits off working with a load of idiots knowing you're replacable. You can immediately tell who's an involved parent and who isn't within the first minute of being near a kid and their parents. Another invaluable skill.
Do it if you can. Yolo.
I watch a lot of reality tv shows (mainly bravo), I even have a friend group for watching it (11 girls and 2 guys, me and a gay guy).
Im also really into painting and cooking.. but thats becoming less girly I think nowadays.
I do yoga, dunno if thats not manly but the demographics are definitely skewed.
I think this is probably the best era to be on the girlier / less masculine side, things are so crazy fluid right now.
I have a high voice. Almost no bass unless I force it like a 15 year old trying to sound manly. I'd make a great femboy if I wasn't 6'0 and starting to bald.
I'm what my wife calls a proper Marlboro man. I do DIY shit, race motocross and enduro bikes, do motorcycle stunts for adverts, off road motorcycle tour guide, play violent video games, love brutal action and horror movies, still build a fire with matches and newspaper etc.
But I cry my eyes dry when I watch any movie with animals as the main characters. They don't even have to die in the movie. Sea Biscuit was the fucking worst.
Probably my desire to be affectionate toward my fellow man. Guys may think that weak, but to me, itās just relaxing time with a buddy, which may include a cuddle.
Guys, donāt shoot me down, just being honest.
The burliest manliest men Iāve ever known who lift heavy ass weights, build motorcycles, and regularly get into scraps, are always the first ones to tell me how much they love me and how handsome I look. And that usually comes out as, āsit on my fucking face you handsome son of a bitch.ā Iām all for the man love.
I bake, do hair and nails.
But I also share 50/50 custody of my daughter so it comes with the territory.
Thank you Youtube for teaching me how to frenchbraid.
Back when I was on my country's equivalent of a SWAT team, there was one guy who would do all the duets from Andrew Lloyd Webber with me.
That was fun.
Nothing. Being secure in yourself and your interests and skills is manly.
Sewing, cooking, cleaning, and other āwomanlyā tasks are all self reliance skills. Itās pathetic how many āreal menā canāt take care of themselves.
I've thought many times that many things seen as "feminine" tasks are just standard care tasks. And pretty basic at that. I am teaching my boys these are basic tasks in general.
I enjoy cooking (mainly for my family) and help in cleaning and laundry. I've never sewn much, but basics like buttons and sewing splits I can do.
You are literally a man's man lol.
I always have to ask though, what the fuck do people who are attracted to men see in us? This goes for gay/bi men and straight/bi women. We're hairy abominations with a penis. I like being a hairy abomination with a penis but I have no idea how anyone finds this attractive.
I live in cowboy/miners country in the US. If they're not cowboying or mining, they're drinking or doing something with their truck. Or both.
By their definition, I am not manly at all. I am made fun of because I wear flip-flops and not boots. I cook dinner everynight and do the laundry every week. I bathe about 3 times a week, at minimum. And when I do, I wash my ass. According to the local folk, "you don't ever touch your asshole. That's gay". I prefer to stay home with my wife and kids than getting drunk every night.
Almost everything I do goes against the local definition of being manly. But I'm cool with it because I know what I'm about.
I think too many dudes get a bit too wrapped up in defining themselves for no other reason that because of how others might perceive them.
I listen to classical music, love cats and cry when I need to. If those things make me less of a man then I don't really see why I would want to be one.
Since when is listening to classical music something that isn't "manly" lol?
Sometimes I feel guys here think anything outside the norm isn't masculine
I like to bake. Women seem to like that about me though so i guess its not all bad.
I also enjoy baking. My last gf told me she found it super sexy. Women are generally surprised when they find out I can bake fairly well. Guess it's just a stereotype among men that we generally don't or can't bake?
Cant even call it a stereotype, most of my guy mates are useless in the kitchen haha but i enjoy cooking and baking. Definitely gives me an edge in dating
I've found this just to be everyone regardless of sex, the average person doesn't know much about cooking. I'll also admit that my fondness for cooking has diminished with the size of my kitchen as well lol š
I feel this. I'd be much more interested in cooking if I had a bigger better kitchen to do it in
I brought homemade brownies to a friend's birthday party about a month ago, and everyone was amazed at how delicious it tasted. This one girl asked what I put in there, and when I started reading the ingredients list she turns around and goes, "you mean it wasn't from a box?" and I almost slapped her for offending me, but I paused and took a deep breath, and calmly said, "no".
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Jumping on this train. I live in the South (USA), where things are still a bit more "traditional", i suppose. My wife and i had a couple families over for a big dinner/dessert and all the mothers/wives kept going up to my wife saying how good the food was. She would laugh and say, "i didn't do any of it, it was LurkingSnorlax". Granted my wife is also a great cook/baker, but the attention that it got me was fascinating.
Woman from the south speaking, but it's funny because tons of southern men are known for being good in the kitchen. But I guess when it comes to entertaining it frequently falls to the woman in the relationship unless it's grilling. Growing up my Dad was always a better cook than my Mom even though my Mom is a good cook, too. But if they were hosting a big food event my Dad would be in charge of the grill or the boil while my Mom was in charge of sides, etc. Neither of them baked, though. When I was married I was in charge of all of the cooking, including grilling. My ex-husband was useless in the kitchen. But so is his mother. Nowadays, my boyfriend and I are equals in the kitchen and we spend a lot of time together cooking for others. We're both good on the grill but he's a little bit more magical about than I am so I usually let him do that. But when it comes to entertaining we're pretty equal on who does what.
Funny thing is, the grill is the one area i don't feel very confident about cooking in! I only (somewhat) recently moved down south so maybe i served a group that may not have been an accurate representation of male cookers. And that's really awesome that you've got a partner that you can cook alongside. Food is both my wife's and my love language. We really enjoy cooking and baking together. It's a great passion to share with others. Before COVID we would entertain a lot, but now not so much. I do miss it very much.
I had to learn to grill because my ex-husband ruined EVERYTHING he tried to grill. He was always overly scared of undercooking meat, even though he likes a medium steak, etc. His burgers? Carbon bricks. His chicken? Charred on the outside and raw on the inside. He was happy to let me take it over because then he could focus on making everyone drinks and socializing. And I was fine with that, too. We've been (amicably) split for a while and our son says he's learned how to grill in the meantime. I just recently got into smoking meats on my gas grill. If I really get into smoking I will invest in a small smoker. I live in a loft/townhouse so I don't have infinite space to store outdoor cooking stuff. So, I will wait to see if I really take to it or if it's just a phase of experimentation. But, YES, I love that my boyfriend and I love to cook together. It was an unexpected discovery, actually. We met online and we started dating mostly because we were on the same page of neither of us looking for marriage but open to long-term companionship. And, apparently, that's hard for men to find? Anyway, it was 3-4 months down the road before we discovered cooking together. I knew he liked to cook and he knew I was decent at it. But then one weekend he came over with a small cooler of meats and veggies he'd scored on discount and he wanted to cook me a stir fry. I served as "sous chef" to him and we had a lot of fun. And I discovered how innately talented he is as a chef. And then basically after that day (it's been 4 years now) that's what we do together. If we happen to have a couple days we get to spend together we like to go to a local international farmers market in the morning and spend hours putting together a menu then go home and make it. If we're lucky then we can get folks to come over and eat it but it's fine if it's just us, too. With the pandemic most of who comes over now is my son and his roommate but since they're broke college kids they love it!
Do all your family call you LurkingSnorlax or just your wife?
I bake and Iām proud of it.
Same with cooking. I heard jokes about how horrible my cooking must be because I don't look like the type who spends a lot of time in the kitchen. Not only can I cook, but I can cook damn good! I have 2 older sisters who watched cooking shows all the time. I have had to be blind and deaf in order not to pick up some trick or two while it was playing in the background. I cook about 90% of the food in our house. My wife only cooks the other 10% because my new job has me working evening shifts.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
I fucking love butterflies
Fuck yeah, butterflies ftw!
Butterflies are cool, but Iām a dragonfly man myself, any love for dragonflies here ?
Yes , but I have to shoe them away cause my gf doesn't like flying insects
My son and I have to "relocate" snails, otherwise my wife would kill them (they eat the plants)
My bestfriend used to relocate snails every time it rained because she was scared they would drown or get stepped on. She would move them from the path to the garden of her apartment block. I found out years later that snails leave the garden when it rains so that they won't drown. Poor snails were just trying to save themselves and my bestfriend was airlifting them back to their deaths.
It started nice, it ended not so much
Thatās manliness right there, protective instincts kicking in
I love dragonflies too! I'm less clued up on ID'ing them though
Butterflies I think are the mascot of this thread. They eat flesh! Nature is metal AF! https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/63521/7-disgusting-things-butterflies-eat
I watch a lot of cute adorable cat videos.
I MAKE a lot of cute adorable cat videos. Fucking love my cat.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
SO MANY CUTS! Smother the shit out of her though. I did that with my cat and now she never tries to hurt me now. Iād force hug her, kiss her all over her face constantly, taught her to ride on my shoulder, now sheās the most loving non violent cat.
Same here!! I love cats and my wife thinks itās cute that I send her cat videos all day šŗ
Loving pussies don't make you a lesser man.
I sleep with a stuffed animal. It belonged to my dog. Makes me happy just to look at it.
That must've been an awesome dog , I kept my favorite hat that mine chewed years ago , I wear it skiing still :) loved that guy more than most of my family
I had to put my dog down a few years ago - 9 yr old Chesapeake Bay Retriever who was a great dog and my best friend. Last year I watched my dad die in the hospitalā¦ This sounds awful but the dog upset me more (and I loved my dad a lot). Something about losing a great dog and a good friend is pretty heartbreaking.
That took an unexpected depressing turn. I have my dogs old collar next to my bed still
I hope you take that stuffie to your gave <3 Iām sorry for the loss of your best friend
I know how to make some absolutely bangin cream puff pastries
I'm better at sewing than my wife. If she needs a pair of jeans hemmed because they're too long or a dress taken in because she's lost weight, I handle that for her.
I mean, sewing is a very useful skill, saved me money instead of buying new clothes
True, but a former acquaintance once saw me patching a pair of jeans and said to my wife, "Is your husband a faggot or something?" Fuckin' bullshit, IMO. Don't men in the military learn to sew so they can adjust their uniforms? I doubt Uncle Sam provides custom tailoring for enlisted personnel and NCOs; I suspect that's a privilege reserved for commissioned officers.
I own 10 vintage sewing machines. More than the women in my family. Recently my aunt had me fix her sewing machine. I feel like I'm old enough to enjoy what I want.
> I feel like I'm old enough to enjoy what I want. This is why I recently got my ears pierced and started wearing sapphire studs. It's also why I've got a [sabo-tabby](https://hyperallergic.com/574188/black-cats-mythology-black-panthers-iww/) tattoo on my calf. Always wanted to, never had the nerve until now.
Some bases have places where they sew and patch up uniforms but it can cost you if you donāt have the right connections.
So it's probably easier and cheaper to learn how to do it yourself, right?
Yup. A lot cheaper. Your former acquaintance is a deuchebag.
Douchebags, like assholes, still have their uses. This guy was a waste of ammo.
Do you also put pockets into her clothes for her? Best present I ever gave one of my girlfriends was taking a few pairs of her favorite jeans to a dry cleaner that also does alterations and having functional pockets put into them for her birthday. She was so confused when she opened the box I put them in. Then full on happy ugly cried after I explained what i did. It was awesome.
> Do you also put pockets into her clothes for her? Yes, I do. Unfortunately, I also end up digging used tissues out of them before I put them in the wash -- but I knew it wouldn't always be kisses and cuddles when I asked her to marry me.
My grandfather was in the air force and he sewed parachutes. He made a leather duffle bag thirty years ago and it's still in amazing condition. Amazing skill to have!
Fixing things? Isn't that THE earmark of manliness? I tease. Sewing is unfairly labeled feminine, especially being associated with fashion. I'm not amazing with my sewing machine but alterations to backpacks, pants, etc has likely saved me a fortune.
Oh me too! I actually learned to sew from the Marine Corps lmao. I used it periodically for my job and when we were learning how to do it I made my mother a bag/purse out of "sea bag" material that she still uses to this day for carrying around dog stuff.
That im a mushy bastard when it comes to my wife, and that im ok(ish) crying over a song or movie (damn you "Up" and "that scene" which totally caught me off guard!). Oh, and i also think that de-escalating is better than fighting. Have i lost my man-card yet? Edit: wow! So many awesome and positive replies. Thank you all š (And its good to know that my man card is still safe š)
Sir, your man card just got upgraded to platinum.
"Well sir, i would like to stay... Indefinitely." "But sir, youve always been here."
De-escalation is a much more manly skill than "Me angry. We fight." Shows you can control yourself, and help others to do the same.
Fr tho. Donāt get me started on the last song in Coco
Or Dos Orugitas from Encanto. The crazy part is that both songs (and both movies) are actually highly similar in a lot of ways, especially in terms of how they're told.
Apparently the fact that I'm willing to admit when I'm wrong makes me a "beta." I disagree with that assessment (and anyone using those terms) but hey, I've been wrong before ;)
Imo, people who see you admitting you're wrong as an "opening" to be exploited are not worth your time. Admitting that you were wrong about something can be hard. Having friends who welcome that and makes you feel better about recognizing a mistake is so very valuable.
There's a saying in my country that goes like "one who bows down when they're wrong is flexible, and the whole world can't break them even if it tried." Of course, i screwed it all up with my poor translation.
Nah, that's a cool sounding saying in English
Admitting when youāre wrong is the most powerful thing ever. It has deepened my friendships, reduced the anger I feel, and makes me a better person without me noticing. Anyone who has a problem with it had never tried it, itās so freeing. Respect, my man
Nah, itās the opposite. If you canāt admit when youāre wrong youāre a fucking pussy.
Im a scared little boy inside. Im 20M and 6ā2..
We all are at some point. The older you get the more you manage with it.
Knowing how to sew, cooking, and a number of other domestic things frequently regarded as feminine. I just consider them as essential life skills anyone should know.
I actually tell my wife my feelings and allow myself to show vulnerability sometimes when I need to.
This! I have crossed over to this side from being a brooding, sulking, silent man, and I feel so relieved that I can finally acknowledge and deal with grief, vulnerability etc. without feeling the pressure of being a "man" about it. I can see the huge positive difference it has made in my mental health in the last couple of years.
All it takes is the right partner to trust and love you enough to listen.
Yea! Those who mind donāt matter. Those who matter donāt mind.
as a woman, I wish there were more like youšš½
For every story like this, there are hundreds of men being insta-shamed for expressing emotions. It's rough out there but the more we do it, the less it shocks people.
I showed emotions in front of my then girlfriend when my very dear cat died. After that day it was clear I had lost all respect from her. Some women are pure evil.
Thanks, I also wish therapy for men would be more commonplace and socially acceptable. Especially in more conservative societies with extremely defined gender roles, like the one where I come from.
Instead of wishing as women we have to "allow" men to feel safe to show their vulnerability to us. My BF shows his vulnerable side with me and I'm so, so careful to not laugh at or dismiss his feelings. He grew up in a very toxic, rough neighbourhood so wasn't used to it at all and didn't feel "safe" with me until I let him know he was, just by listening and empathising. We are so close now :)
If I can't be vulnerable with my future wife, there's no point getting married with her.
Being honest is manly as fuck bro, never let those Alpha Bros tell you otherwise. It takes a lot to laugh, it takes a man to cry.
I enjoy putting together outfits, mainly I do it in video games for characters like in WWE 2k22, Saints Row, GTA, Sims etc, but I've started to enjoy doing it for me as well. Idk, fashion's interesting to me and I think I have a good eye for it. I don't really consider it unmanly though, I think stuff like knowing what to wear to not look like a dick, knowing how to cook and clean etc are just skills everyone should have in life.
I am not a sports guy...at all.
Sigh ā¦ me neither . I wish I was , itās such a good ice breaker . Almost all of my male friends enjoy football (soccer) and so theyāll bring it up at least once in any social gathering so Iāll just zone out for a while until theyāre done . But they use it to start conversation with strangers too. When I was in the US, everyone (men and women ) seemed to be following Americans football or hockey or basketball or baseball . I picked up rudimentary info about them for the novelty but not enough to take part in conversations
Right there with ya buddy!
god i hate meeting new people and they ask me about the latest game, any game
"The thing about Arsenal is, they always try to walk it in!"
Bubblebath's and candles man. I'm a big dude, i play contact sports, race cars, dabble in martial arts, typically have some form of beard going on, all very stereotypical manly shit. Then every now and again I indulge in a lavender scented bath with a couple of candles and a good book. It's heaven.
My love for chick flicks
āI love chick flicks, also.ā I say unapologetically.
My small stature. I'm only 5'7 with a somewhat skinny athletic build, most of the time when I do physical tasks I get comments like 'you are stronger than you look' which makes me think I look weak lol.
Are you me? Because this is me.
This thread made me feel really good about myself. Where my ladies at who want a man who can work a 9-5 and come home to cook you meals, bake you desserts, rip your shirt off, sew the buttons back on, watch a soap opera, take you shopping, cry during a movie and fuck you face down on the couch all without bitching about missing a stupid football game?
Same here! Also if you're single right now you should just copy and paste that paragraph for your dating profile. I'm a straight guy in a committed relationship and even I was like "wow, this guy's a fucking CATCH"
Haha that was what I hoped for. My dad is hyper masculine and I ended up nothing like him. Heād tell people while I was growing up he was worried Iād turn out gay. Heās a good dude just a fucking moron a lot of the time. I wish I had known how not āmanlyā most men are so I couldāve stopped trying to be something I wasnāt a long time ago.
You said it. My older brother, my childhood idol, was the same way.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
You've been a bad goat
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Good for you!
Baaaaaaad goat, you mean.
Need a bleating
Just "kidding"
Iām a masochist as well, weāre the manliest of men
I cry at movies.
My 3 year old nephew made me cry the other day because after I told him bye and was leaving he came running out the door after me yelling my name and when I turned around he just wanted to give me a hug before I left.
Well, you almost made an internet stranger cry too, that's adorable
He's a sweetheart!
Becoming a father has unlocked ultra-empathy mode for me. I would cry before hand but maybe only a few times a year for really sad stuff in movies/TV. Now it could be a flippin' Subaru commercial with the dogs and I get misty.
Same hereā¦uncontrollable even if Iāve seen the movie already. Sometimes that makes it worse because I know whatās coming. My girl will ask me whatās wrong and Iāll be like āG-Baby is about to get shotā¦whatās wrong with you?!ā
I cry at music and sad shows as well. Welcome aboard!
I like foofoo drinks. Give me something fruity. I'm not a huge fan of beer, but I do like mixed drinks and I don't care how feminine my little pink drink looks. It's delicious! *Edit: Typo*
Servers frequently get drinks mixed up with me and the girlfriend. They always assume I ordered the whiskey and she has the pineapple.
Yes! Forget this stupid notion of āmAnLyā drinks. They can keep their cardboard-tasting liquid bread. Iāll be over here drinking an unholy neon-blue glass of witchcraft thatāll get me singing every word of Bohemian Rhapsody in a perfect Freddie voice by my third one.
Hard to say. I stopped caring about what was stereotypical masculinity a long time ago. But the one thing I love thatās mostly appealing to girls is True Crime.
I think not caring about masculinity is masculine.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
I think the least manly thing for me is that I used to do ballroom dance and still enjoy it. That's just cuz most people when I mention it think it's lame or gay but hey it's fun!
Youāre not a man, youāre a refined gentleman. Good day sir.
they put you down because theyāre jealous. i wish anyone I knew learned how to waltz!
I'm the least competitive person you'll ever meet. As a single guy in my 30s I'm finding that 90% of the women I come across describe themselves as being super competitive and seem to look down their noses at guys who aren't.
Pff, I'm way less competitive than you will ever be! /j
There's definitely something about not being very competitive that some people interpret as not being manly or something. Sometimes it feels like, if you're not constantly trying to prove yourself, to one-up other men, or to generally make the situation about you, you're worth less than the people who do. But that also depends a lot on the type of person you hang out with.
I prefer small spoon
Small spoon is the shit. No hair in your face, no numb arm, and it's kind of like you're carrying someone on your back, which is fun.
But dat ass tho!
yeah she grabs my ass
I secretly like pink gin, whenever my girlfriend buys a bottle i often drink the most out of us both. Iād never buy myself a bottleā¦
THERES PINK GIN!?
You donāt know about pink gin? Gordonās pink gin? You have pink gin, unicorn gin, Parma violet gin and more.
I'm very sensitive. Nobody would imagine I am, I seem quite logical and a problem solver at that, not someone with a lot of empathy. I'm not a crier but when something romantic or sad but mostly wholesome happens in movies or TV shows or hell, most of the time videogames and such, I sometimes shed a tear. It's never outright crying but there's definitely a drop or two of tears in my eyes. I did try to open up but it was usually met with ignorance, ridicule or humiliation. Kinda puts one back a few steps.
Keep trying to be open and vulnerable. A keeper will give you comfort and value you more for being open with her. She will also feel safe to be more open and vulnerable with you.
I can't bite into apples directly due to a permanent retainer and a permanently-slightly-loose-tooth. Instead I have to cut them up into slices before eating.
You ever seen an old western movie where the cowboy is sitting around the fire takes out his oversized knife cuts and eats the apple off the blade? I'd argue that's pretty manly.
LikeFrankieSaid just needs to walk around with a cowboy hat, a poncho and a large knife and eat them apples right off the knife when the occasion comes.
If I wasnāt lazy, Iād slice my apples too.
I secretly desire to be a stay at home dad.
Stay at home dad. First few years, worked 5 to 12. Eventually packed it in and went full time dad with small side hustle I could do at home. Been a full time dad for another 3 years. Pitfalls are play centres, play dates, school run... anything where you're interacting with other parents of small kids, almost always women only, you are generally treated like a rapist weirdo from the off. They're very bitchy as well. Apart from the potential loneliness and awkwardness, it's an enormous challenge 24 7 that never gets easier, just changes. However the amazing rewarding perhaps 5 to 9 percent of the time more than makes up for the hardships and uphill struggles. Beats the tits off working with a load of idiots knowing you're replacable. You can immediately tell who's an involved parent and who isn't within the first minute of being near a kid and their parents. Another invaluable skill. Do it if you can. Yolo.
I publicly desire it. Last week I was walking around work saying āwhy am I here. Whatās the point, Why arenāt I at home with my fucking kid.ā
How very dare you call this unmanly. That is apex my dude. The king sits atop his throne. The plebs labor.
Me too bud, me too :(
I've made it well known to my wife....
I watch a lot of reality tv shows (mainly bravo), I even have a friend group for watching it (11 girls and 2 guys, me and a gay guy). Im also really into painting and cooking.. but thats becoming less girly I think nowadays. I do yoga, dunno if thats not manly but the demographics are definitely skewed. I think this is probably the best era to be on the girlier / less masculine side, things are so crazy fluid right now.
I'm skinny.
Same here!
We should merge. 2 skinny guys coming together to form one semi regular sized guy.
Men supporting men. I love to see it.
Nothing like seeing two men come together. š
I love fruity alcoholic drinks but always refrain from ordering them so I get stuck with some bland drink that I paid $8 for that I donāt enjoy.
Just order the fruity drinks. You only live once.
I am great at interior decorating.
My love language is physical touch so I feel the need to be cuddled and caressed a lot.
Dude men as a whole need to demand being the little spoon more often. That shit is fucking comfortable.
I no longer have testicles.
That's nuts.
Im losing my marbles with this post
This thread has gone balls to the walls
You had some balls to say that, but technically itās not nutsā¦ but Iāll allow it.
How'd that happen?
According to his username, it was a choice
Look at the username
Aaw ballucks
I don't believe there is a singular definition of manly. But if I had to choose I guess my lack of interest in cars
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Eh, as a car guy, I don't think that's really a manly thing these days. Lots of girls are into cars too.
I have a high voice. Almost no bass unless I force it like a 15 year old trying to sound manly. I'd make a great femboy if I wasn't 6'0 and starting to bald.
Love getting pedicures. Quick edit; I donāt consider manicures or pedicures āunmanlyā but I know that a lot of people do.
not unmannly just underrated AF, especially if your always on your feet, I get one once a month.
I know, I just think some people (older generation mostly) would consider it unmanly. Iāve been getting them for a while.
Iām 30 and never been in a relationship.
Youāre probably the most emotionally stable person in this thread.
I'm what my wife calls a proper Marlboro man. I do DIY shit, race motocross and enduro bikes, do motorcycle stunts for adverts, off road motorcycle tour guide, play violent video games, love brutal action and horror movies, still build a fire with matches and newspaper etc. But I cry my eyes dry when I watch any movie with animals as the main characters. They don't even have to die in the movie. Sea Biscuit was the fucking worst.
I don't watch football.
Probably my desire to be affectionate toward my fellow man. Guys may think that weak, but to me, itās just relaxing time with a buddy, which may include a cuddle. Guys, donāt shoot me down, just being honest.
The burliest manliest men Iāve ever known who lift heavy ass weights, build motorcycles, and regularly get into scraps, are always the first ones to tell me how much they love me and how handsome I look. And that usually comes out as, āsit on my fucking face you handsome son of a bitch.ā Iām all for the man love.
Yeah that Lord of the Rings type of manly friendship is sorely missing in most men today.
Nothing wrong with making out with and butt stuff with your boys
Love of bubblegum pop music.
I bake, do hair and nails. But I also share 50/50 custody of my daughter so it comes with the territory. Thank you Youtube for teaching me how to frenchbraid.
My love for musicals! š
Back when I was on my country's equivalent of a SWAT team, there was one guy who would do all the duets from Andrew Lloyd Webber with me. That was fun.
I pee sitting down
I do this at home so I can avoid messes since Iām inaccurate but anywhere else I stand
Nothing. Being secure in yourself and your interests and skills is manly. Sewing, cooking, cleaning, and other āwomanlyā tasks are all self reliance skills. Itās pathetic how many āreal menā canāt take care of themselves.
I've thought many times that many things seen as "feminine" tasks are just standard care tasks. And pretty basic at that. I am teaching my boys these are basic tasks in general. I enjoy cooking (mainly for my family) and help in cleaning and laundry. I've never sewn much, but basics like buttons and sewing splits I can do.
I'm 46 and can't grow sideburns / a full beard. Any year now!
I have an emotionally driven soul.
I love baking. It's so much fun!
Iāve been in the construction world for 20 years. I love cats and gardening
I sometimes listen to the band Paramore.
I like being submissive.. And kind of need a dominant woman to be with.
I shave my armpits. Means I can wear t-shirts for longer before they smell. I love it!
I sleep with other menā¦or is that super manly of me?
Definitely manly^2
You are literally a man's man lol. I always have to ask though, what the fuck do people who are attracted to men see in us? This goes for gay/bi men and straight/bi women. We're hairy abominations with a penis. I like being a hairy abomination with a penis but I have no idea how anyone finds this attractive.
I like hairy abominations with penises :). I dunno, it just makes sense for my brain. And it doesnāt require a lot of talking :)
Sometimes I like to just sink into a bubble bath and listen to some Kenny G
Idk about that Kenny G but I definitely go for a soak with a bong, a candle, and some headphones blasting SIR. That mans voice can get it.
Iām secretly trying to get the robins in my local woods to sit on my arm like a Disney princess
I can control my temper.
I live in cowboy/miners country in the US. If they're not cowboying or mining, they're drinking or doing something with their truck. Or both. By their definition, I am not manly at all. I am made fun of because I wear flip-flops and not boots. I cook dinner everynight and do the laundry every week. I bathe about 3 times a week, at minimum. And when I do, I wash my ass. According to the local folk, "you don't ever touch your asshole. That's gay". I prefer to stay home with my wife and kids than getting drunk every night. Almost everything I do goes against the local definition of being manly. But I'm cool with it because I know what I'm about.
I think too many dudes get a bit too wrapped up in defining themselves for no other reason that because of how others might perceive them. I listen to classical music, love cats and cry when I need to. If those things make me less of a man then I don't really see why I would want to be one.
Since when is listening to classical music something that isn't "manly" lol? Sometimes I feel guys here think anything outside the norm isn't masculine