Regular guys cast a jaded eye at 'metrosexual' trend

usatoday ^ | 1/21/2004 | Olivia Barker

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With the Fab Five in sellout mode " worldwide licensing deal, upcoming soundtrack series, solo gigs, contract squabbles " the sagging metrosexual movement epitomized by the Queer Eye for the Straight Guy sensibility is in need of a face lift.

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"I'm a square," Dean declared, after professing his metrosexuality to a Boulder breakfast audience with an anecdote about being called handsome by a gay man. "I like (rapper) Wyclef Jean and everybody thinks I'm very hip, but I am really a square, as my kids will tell you. I don't even get to watch television. I've heard the term (metrosexual), but I don't know what it means."

[Glenn]

I was metrosexual before it had a name. I'm disgusted to know that "dressing for success" has been co-opted by the homosexual press in this way.

[smith288]

[CSM]

Women seem to love the metrosexual male. However, they end up being dissappointed after spending any time in a relationship with them. They claim that the person is selfish and didn't focus on them. They break it off, then go right out and find another.

I think this backlash is good and maybe people can figure out what they really are, rather than falling into the niche's that society tries to force them into.

[Cardini]

The term metrosexual is a softer way of saying "I am a Homosexual and cannot commit!"

Just because you practice good grooming and dress well does not mean that you are a metro, it just means you are a clean person. I have to go into work groomed and in a suit but it makes me no less of a man.

Men should act like men, not metrohomofagulas.

[ericthecurdog]

Can a regular guy cast a 'jaded' eye?

[thoughtomator]

They love the ideal of a submissive male but hate the reality.

[Adder]

Women are the ones driving this nonsense. Them and faggy hairdresser types. There has always been this push to get men interested in skin care products and the whole ball of wax just like women do from way back in the 70's. Remember David Bowie and the make-up?
What a way to grow your business if another market comprising 50% of the population should happen to want your products!
Women [real women] and men don't want it. It is doomed to fail. Again. Thankfully.
Metrosexual. What a stupid and dopey term. Trying to create "buzz" where there isn't any. Its just too naked, too obvious.

[Glenn]

Just because you practice good grooming and dress well does not mean that you are a metro

Exactly.

But the folks sucked into thinking this makes you a metro are plenty. My dentist, who is 70, hit on me because, as he put it, "You are always pin-neat. We don't get many patients like that in this town."

I wanted to deck him.

[subterfuge]

"despite Queer Eye's consistently high ratings, the show jumped the shark " that is, lost its witty novelty "

Never have watched it for more than 45 seconds. Couldn't stand it. But who couldn't see this coming. I mean how many makeovers can you watch. It might be cool if they did it with homeless guys (or gals) (or Rosie O'Donnell).

[mr.pink]

I was metrosexual before it had a name. I'm disgusted to know that "dressing for success" has been co-opted by the homosexual press in this way.

"dressing for sucess" is not solely a "metrosexual" endevor.

I have a lot of friends who "dress for sucess", but of that group there are perhaps only two I would file in the "metro" category (i.e.- some of my friends shop for suits at Barneys, but only the metros "dress" to go shop at Barney's....big difference).

[saint]

WWJWD is a motto that will keep you a man - What Would John Wayne Do?

[CSM]

Both of your posts are spot on. Real Women (notice that it is not in quotes) don't want this feminized male. The problem is that there aren't many Real Women left anymore. They think that if they have a desire that is in conflict with the Feminazi movement, then they must be wrong.

I bet Belly Girl wouldn't be caught dead dating a Metrosexual! (Blatent invitation for pictures!)

[11B3]

Most of us don't give a damn about what the fags wear, or do. For me, driving a tractor in the fields, hunting, or dropping trees in the forest doesn't require a girly side.

A manicure is chopping off a hangnail with the point of a sharp large pocket knife, and fancy shoes are boots that are clean and serviceable. But then again, when going out on the town I don't go to gay bars, and the restaurants I go to tend to serve dishes that include mostly large steaks instead of crepes. Vehicles are the same way - 4x4 trucks for utility use, and big block '70s hotrods for fun, not something that fell out of the same unisex mold as everyone else on the road.

I don't represent the average city guy, but out here in the woods I'd say this is the attitude. In fact, I'd wager most if not all of the Red Zone would agree with that. I'd much rather be a redneck than a limp-wristed pickle kissing pencil necked geek any day.

[thoughtomator]

Two words:

Boy George

[sarasota]

Dean: I don't even get to watch television. Huh? Won't anyone let you? What the... W would have said he doesn't have time (nor the inclination). Too busy.

[Mamzelle]

Much better than "Queer Eye" is the BRITISH version of "What not to Wear"-- the dynamic of improving appearance will always have more passion for the female, and Trini and company have a true affection, rather than affectation, for what they're doing.

"Queer Eye" was only good once, but I'm always looking for a new episode of "What Not to Wear."

[johnny7]

I was metrosexual before it had a name.

Do tell.

[11B3]

To those of you who posted above that wear dress clothes for work, my rant was not directed at you. There's a HUGE difference between dressing professionally and being a metrosexual. I don't want to go to a doctor for a diagnosis who is wearing double knits and has grease under his fingernails, if you know what I mean.

[Mr. Bird]

the trend toward fastidious grooming and Rat Pack-refined dressing.

Excuse me, but invoking Frank and Dean-o when discussing the metrosexual fad is sick and wrong. The members of Duran Duran were metrosexuals. The men in the Rat Pack were men. Lawford excepted, of course.