Thread: A Man's Man

I was just tooling around with the User CP and decided to make my status "A Man's Man," because I feel I am a pretty manly, masculine guy. This led me to question a few things (none of which were my sexuality or own machismo), such as "what is a generic man's man?"

Barring Grizzly Adams, and any other personified characterizations of manliness...what do you think it takes to be a man?

I hit the gym, I lift heavy weights, I shave with a straight, I spend time outdoors whenever possible. I prefer to use my hands and get dirty, and think the only thing sexier than a '67 Cobra would be my dance-team girlfriend. I've got chest hair, I've got body hair, and I don't shave it off. I'm never afraid to spill my own blood, provided I have fun (like jumping around on cliffs and occasionally slipping). I own a gun, I own a ton of knives, and I want to own a big, meaty dog down the road.

So, what's manly to you?

Chadd

Own up to our responsibilities and the challenges of life and address them with dignity and fairness to all. Protect those that can not protect themselves. Enjoy a good clean challenge and accept the consequences for your actions with pride.

I subscribe to Robert Heinlein's definition, though he draws it a bit more broadly than just males:

A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects."
— Robert Heinlein, Time Enough for Love

The term "man's man" is frequently missued and almost always misunderstood. It has nothing to do with how you look it is entirely about how you act.

A true man's man is a male possessed of a full measure of masculine virtues. These are:

Truth
Strength (this means moral and personal strength not physical strength, it is sometimes referred to as courage)
Justice
Patience
Humility
Honesty (or honor)

If you want to be a man's man, cultivate these.

Originally Posted by fccexpert

The term "man's man" is frequently missued and almost always misunderstood. It has nothing to do with how you look it is entirely about how you act.

A true man's man is a male possessed of a full measure of masculine virtues. These are:

Truth
Strength (this means moral and personal strength not physical strength, it is sometimes referred to as courage)
Justice
Patience
Humility
Honesty (or honor)

If you want to be a man's man, cultivate these.

here here !!

very interesting, and very difficult to define narrowly. there are definitely manly activities and skills. and in that regard age helps in manliness, my uncle knows more about fixing and doing things with his hands than just about anybody I've known. I asked him a couple weeks ago how he knows so much, he said,"I'm twice as old as you, you'll be surprised how much you learn in the next 30 years."

but all the activities in the world don't the man make. I met a guy that was an ex-pro football player, 6'8" 275lbs, muscle bound, owned a funny car, built a fancy house etc. but his word had no value, he was a weasel.

A man needs no contracts because his handshake is good, he puts his family first, his friends can trust him with their lives.

it's an interesting thing. I think it is a partially learned thing and takes time. some guys are not raised to be real men, but learn it. some guys are raised right but are naturally such assholes they aren't men.

Your reputation is priceless, guard it. Your family is prescious, spend time with them, nothing you do is more important than how you raise your children. True friends are rare, protect them.

oh, and quick list of other things that real men have in common:
you know monica belucci is the essence of beauty
you know that not having a dog is abnormal
you've imagined at least once that you were clint eastwood as dirty harry, john wayne in a western and marlon brando in the godfather
you consider just about everything better if bacon is added



Red

Originally Posted by fccexpert

The term "man's man" is frequently missued and almost always misunderstood. It has nothing to do with how you look it is entirely about how you act.

A true man's man is a male possessed of a full measure of masculine virtues. These are:

Truth
Strength (this means moral and personal strength not physical strength, it is sometimes referred to as courage)
Justice
Patience
Humility
Honesty (or honor)

If you want to be a man's man, cultivate these.

+1. Anyone can lift weights and own the toys, but to have good character traits is something else entirely. Besides the above, a man's man will be well versed and conversant in a great many subjects (not just opinionated) and have a good amount of real knowledge and skill, as well as the humility to admit when you don't know.

Being good looking helps too

(actually, it really does. studies have shown that we respond better to people we perceive as being good looking)

My Creed
By Edgar Albert Guest

To live as gently as I can;
To be, no matter where, a man;
To take what comes of good or ill
And cling to faith and honor still;
To do my best, and let that stand
The record of my brain and hand;
And then, should failure come to me,
Still work and hope for victory.

To have no secret place wherein
I stoop unseen to shame or sin;
To be the same when I'm alone
As when my every deed is known;
To live undaunted, unafraid
Of any step that I have made;
To be without pretense or sham
Exactly what men think I am.

To leave some simple mark behind
To keep my having lived in mind;
If enmity to aught I show,
To be an honest, generous foe,
To play my little part, nor whine
That greater honors are not mine.
This, I believe, is all I need
For my philosophy and creed.

Glad I looked that up, I've only seen the first part before and that impressed me.

I think the manliest sort of man is the kind of man that doesn't post pleas for psychological validation anonymously on the internet


but seriously. a man's man is someone who knows who he is. really knows. and is ok with it. you'd be amazed how rare that is. a real man's man will constantly self-evaluate, and if he even finds that he doesn't measure up to his own standards, he works hard to change himself. a man's man doesn't give a damn about what other people think of him, because he knows that he is his own harshest judge. a real man's man doesn't bother evaluating others because it isn't his problem.

Originally Posted by Big Red

oh, and quick list of other things that real men have in common:
you know monica belucci is the essence of beauty
you know that not having a dog is abnormal
you've imagined at least once that you were clint eastwood as dirty harry, john wayne in a western and marlon brando in the godfather
you consider just about everything better if bacon is added



Red

This is more what i was looking for, but thanks for all of the responses!!!!!

The seven virtues that were listed (I'm not sure how to do double quotes and whatnot), are essentially the seven virtues of the samurai, embodied in Bushido. About two years ago, I had the symbols for Bushido tattooed on my arm so I could be reminded daily to be a good person, and to always help people.

I also agree with those who have said it's more of a characterization, rather than materialization. I try and hold to the truth whenever possible, lying only to hide a surprise; and I think everyone should own up to their own actions. I've been horrible things in the past, but I've changed my life and am attempting to be the best person I can be. I'll never settle and say I'm being the best I can, because then I would have nothing to work towards.

To me, as far as characterization (and in a serious sense), being a man means always looking out for others, always being sure everyone is protected, and standing up for what is right. Basically, Superman is the man's man to me, and essences of The Man with No Name (ultimately doing the right thing), which embody the samurai code of Bushido.

So, in a less serious tone, what does it take to be a man? Red's choices were perfect, though I'd have to say that while bacon makes everything better, so does grilling. If you don't own a grill, I think you don't deserve a man-card.

chadd