you are the best in the world

i think that it is about time that men start to take pride in their appearance. i myself am a metrosexual. and i am ok with that. and just to touch on the whole "jeans" thing...it is not as unorthodox as people might think. i myself and several of my friends check out fashions for the upcoming season. all in all it is about what makes you happy. i think that is what we all strive for.

somebody called me a metrosexual the other day, but then proceeded to tell me that "everybody" thought i was gay. then he hit on me. for about an hour straight. my friend will said, "no, he's not gay. he's just... hip." thanks, will, but i'm not sure there's much distinction between the two anymore. yikes.

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I am a teenager, and I would call myself a Metrosexual. I mean, I like to have a nice appearance, and I am fairly high maintenance, but it does have its positive sides. Honestly, I am in good shape because I actually care about what I look like, and I have clear and smoothe skin because I buy products that will make me look my best. I like having shaped eye brows, and I like to wear clothes that compliment some of my better features. And girls take notice. If you stand identicle twins next to eachother, same physique and looks, only one is nicely groomed, wearing a nice outfit, and the other is wearing dirty jeans and an old t-shirt, and doesn’t really keep up with their appearance, who would you choose. The answer is pretty clear. Just be honest with yourself, and you will have more fun with life. And as far as the whole macho man stereo type of the past, thats what it is, the past. I take care of my appearance, and I like women, and up to this date, they seem to like me as well.

i think it's a big marketing ploy. along the same lines as the other categorization that is going on these days: generation Y (in order to sell cars and x-games related crap to teens and twenty-somethings), i'm two too many beers in to think up any other names, but another good example of a commercial is the miller high life commercial that makes fun of people who put limes in their coronas. seriously, who cares? why can't people put limes in the coronas, lemons in their hefeweizens, cream on their skin, mayonaise on their pizzas, tomato(e?)s on their grilled cheese sandwiches, or cereal in their yogurt without drawing fire from media knuckleheads? kind of makes me glad that in new orleans (the hometown) people are either two too many beers in to care/notice or they don't care/notice in the first place...this is especially true for clothes and cars. as long as your reasonably covered up your clothes are ok (partially b/c it's damn hot and humid) and as long as the car moves your wheels are tight.

i'm convinced this is partially a regional thing. (although i do have to admit that the debutante thing is more prevalent down here...judging from the local paper).

eep...hope this thread isn't already dead.

As I was replacing the spark plug cables on my car yesterday, I was wondering why can't a guy be a "metrosexual" in its loose definition, as I've been told that I am, and still exhibit these sorts of traditional manly traits?

Wasn't there a time when men who enjoyed these kind of activities were considered effeminine. As much as I think it is good for men to get in touch with their softer side, after speaking with my female friends, a strong majority like men to be in tune with things women would enjoy but certainly want a man to be a man.

The Economist writes, Metrosexuality: Real men get waxed

As the guy in the article, I'd just like to point out that the press in this case came to me and not vice versa. Regardless, whether or not I was talking to the press about the product aspects of my metrosexual ways, nothing changes in terms of how I view myself or my masculinity so I just don't see the harm (beyond ribbing from friends and family) in the article.

i think it's fine that men get facials and that shit as long as they don't talk about it. i've been getting treated like a king for years but i haven't gone to the press and told them how "not gay" i am.

And few things generate buzz and sell products like good old sex and controversy. Completely agree that they would love to run everything but believe it has become a battle of who can stay one step ahead: the in-the-know consumer or the marketer.

Hey Karru,

You are absolutely right!! It is almost like our reality is being run by clever marketers and their idea's of how to sell things in large amounts with the angle of, if the truth is not sexy enough put a spin on it and make it sexy. Just sell baby!!!

The emphasis on sexuality gives the marketing concept an edge that doesn't come from labeling such individuals as alpha consumer or super-bees … hence why the article and discussions I've had with folks have focused so much on the beauty product/maybe he's really gay angle. In the end though, this isn't about sexuality but rather identifying a sub-group of males who are trend-setters and early adopters, helping to spread the gospel about products, services, entertainment, etc. Sounds a lot less sexy when you put it in those terms.

I think everyone is making a big deal out of nothing. I dont think anyone's love for fashion or beauty products makes them gay or straight. I think your sexual desire does that.I really dont think someone can "act" gay.

I know plenty of men who shop for clothes and facial products, men who can name the brand of suit some guy is wearing two blocks away, men who have more beauty products in their bathroom than a woman.I am one of these men!!!

Is there a woman alive who wants to be with a smelly dirty guy? Do women like the fat out of shape non-shaven guy in bad clothes? My point is men who know better just want to look GOOD.No matter what people say the first thing they judge you on is how you look, Im not saying thats the right thing to do but it is only natural. When I walk down the street in a great suit or cool outfit it makes me feel good.It has nothing to do with sexuality.I am not gay but if I was so what? Why do we put so much time into other people's sexuality? If your gay and dress like a bum ,THATS GREAT FOR YOU!! If you are not gay and dress like a fashion model THATS GREAT FOR YOU TOO!

To quote Morrissey, " I wear black on the outside because thats how i feel on the inside".

So everyone just do what you have fun at and dont care about people with labels.

Warren St. John thoughtfully suggested that anyone interested in reading more on metrosexuality can check out Mark Simpson's book, Sex Terror: Erotic Misadventures in Pop Culture.

And if you want more about homosexuality and narcissism, it'd be time to break out the copies of Homos by Leo Bersani and Homosexual Desire by Guy Hocquenhem.

I'm not sure whether I'm pro or con on this "metrosexaulity" issue. On some level, we need to recognize it for what it is -- a blatant attempt by marketers to tell straight men there's nothing wrong with spending $350 on a pair of shoes, dropping $40 for a mani and a pedi, and obsessing over their looks to the point that forking over $160 for 2 oz. of Creme de La Mer looks like a reasonable decision. Face it, this is stuff men currently feel a little embarassed about, if they do it at all -- take away that embarassment, and you have an awful lot of incremental spending pumped into the services and cosmetics industry. It's not coincidental that Conde Nast is rolling out a male version of Lucky soon. And did anyone else notice the husband-and-wife pair in this NYTimes Magazine's ad for cosmetic Botox? And I thought the 25th anniversary was the *silver* anniversary. Silly me.

On the other buffed and moisturized hand, however, shouldn't straight men feel free to engage in this sort of thing, if it suits their fancy? As a culture, isn't it a little ridiculous to regard a man who cares about his wardrobe as a little light in the loafers? It's a pretty juvenile pose consumerism is prompting us to drop, I'd say.

But straight women, be warned: any man who has more beauty products in his medicine cabinet than you is likely not the Prince Charming of your Hallmarkian fantasies. If your vision of the ideal mate is, however, someone who squeals in delight at the sound of a spa weekend, the market is making room.

The hair in this case is located on the top of the foot, and delivers nothing in the way of traction benefits. It's very hobbit-like. I avoid sandals, and wear socks at nearly all times.

Actually, they are ... polar bears have hair on their pads that help them avoid excessive slippage.

Are hairy feet good for traction?