The metrosexual revolution

Sydney Morning Herald ^ | June 16, 2003 | PA

[Mister Magoo]

The metrosexual revolution June 16 2003

David Beckham has his Victoria, but Britain's metrosexuals say Felicity Kendall, Nigella Lawson, and Kylie Minogue are their ideal women.

British men are increasingly becoming "metrosexuals", straight men who know and care about fashion, food, and good grooming, according to a new study.

Australia's Kylie Minogue and British actress Felicity Kendal and Nigella Lawson are the women of their dreams - in different roles.

Soccer star David Beckham and swimming champion Ian Thorpe have been held up as personifying metrosexuals.

Given just one wish, nearly a third would choose to grow old with the woman they love (the most-chosen scenario), while 19 per cent would wish that their children have happy, healthy lives.

The woman described by most British men as "closest to my ideal wife" is Felicity Kendal, star of '80s and often repeated sitcom The Good Life, with 21 per cent.

As a dream lover, 25 per cent of men chose Kylie Minogue, way ahead of Rachel Stevens from the British pop group, Sclub7, the choice of 18 per cent.

And if Felicity is unavailable as a spouse, second choice is Nigella Lawson, with 13 per cent, and Rachel Stevens is third, with 12 per cent. Marge Simpson scored 4.2 per cent.

Modern British men have accepted the feminist revolution of the past 30 years and have become much more feminine in the process, the research states.

Nearly threequarters agree that women should get equal pay for equal work, and only 10 per cent say they'd like to see a return to traditional sex roles.

Further evidence of the softening of modern man came in the way that British men describe themselves.

Seventy-six per cent see themselves as "easygoing" 72 per cent as "caring" and 68 per cent as "open-minded."

In contrast, just 10 per cent describe themselves as "dominant" and only three per cent claim to be a "stud". Modern men are also deeply committed to their partners.

Eighty per cent reject the idea of a life of casual sex in favour of a committed relationship.

Just nine per cent would choose to be a football star and seven per cent would opt to head a multinational company.

Given a list of male role models, nearly one in four men said they'd most like to be like Sean Connery, while just 15 per cent opted for footballer David Beckham.

The study, The Future of Men, is based on a survey of 1,000 British men and produced by communications group Euro RSCG Worldwide.

PA

[Cathryn Crawford]

I think everyone has the loser-attraction ability.

Some people are just better at getting rid of them faster. You sound like you do pretty well. At least you didn't marry one.

[FLAMING DEATH]

Also, no need to feel sorry. When I reflect on my life, I find that my happiest times have occurred when I have been without a girlfriend, and some of the most depressing times have been when I have been in relationships. I am actually at a high point right now, and most people already see their life mapped out before them when they reach 31. My possibilities are wide open...if I want to move, change jobs, take a vacation, or whatever, I can do so if I please, without fear of making things inconvenient for someone else.

There's something wonderful about autonomy. I do what I please, when I please, and that's something that a lot of my married friends are very jealous of.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to find a nice girl and settle down, but if it doesn't happen, it isn't really a big deal to me at this point. Maybe my feelings will change down the road, but right now, I'm satisfied with the way things are.

The single life is a pretty sweet deal.

[Cathryn Crawford]

The single life is a pretty sweet deal.

I'm happy for you. You're very optimistic! That's great!!!!

[FLAMING DEATH]

Boy, did I come close once. She already had the ring and everything.

Fortunately, she returned it, because putting it back in the box and setting it on the coffee table made for a much more dramatic exit than keeping it to pawn later.

[Dan from Michigan]

The best thing that happened to my old "Irish temper" was when I bought my first shotgun and took a basic(hunter safety) training course.(I was 20 then).

[Cathryn Crawford]

At least you got your money back...

[FLAMING DEATH]

I have a slow temper, generally. My biggest fear is perhaps that someone would try to say that I intended to use the gun on them, and that was my reason for getting into a fight with them.

Or, worse yet, getting in a scuffle which resulted in my gun being taken from me, then used against me.

[Qwerty]

"Soccer star David Beckham and swimming champion Ian Thorpe have been held up as personifying metrosexuals."

Since when is Ian Thorpe straight?

[FLAMING DEATH]

That part I did. I only got her credit card bills paid off last year.

[Atchafalaya]

The little head usurps the big head. I hate when that happens!

[FLAMING DEATH]

Yep.

[Atchafalaya]

Well duh! Money talks, Cajun walks. I hope his dick gets worms!

[Atchafalaya]

Hey chere, worked for me. Married 26 yrs, shouted my vows at the wedding for all to hear, 3 kids, we both work, housework, yardwork, wash clothes, cook, ...et al. She is my and I am her's best friend; the rest comes naturally. No relationship will survive if it is one sided. I'm a lucky man.

[x]

The woman described by most British men as "closest to my ideal wife" is Felicity Kendal, star of '80s and often repeated sitcom The Good Life, with 21 per cent.

Somehow I doubt "The Young Ones" were all that sensitive, kind, caring, and metrosexual.

[Buckwheats]

LOL. 50-some posts and no one clicked on Flaming Death's handle? Mister Magoo is most likely his alter ego. Does everyone drink heavily at night? Electronic pest repeller problems cracked me up.

[FLAMING DEATH]

Mr. Magoo my alter ego? Nah. I just met Mr. Magoo tonight.

Actually, I was wondering how long it would be before someone found that little gem hiding in my profile. You're the first. I'm quite proud of it.

The actual letters are written by four different guys, including myself, so in effect, I am only one of "Donald's" four personalities.

Leave a message in the guestbook or email us...we love to hear from our readers.

[Buckwheats]

You're funny, even though you do have a lot of time on your hands. Come morning, there will be a few folks who will regret having posted to this thread.

My advice to them: always look for clues that no one would publically admit to being such a dork, even anonymously and even if they were; and, post sober.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Re #34

I think that recent liberalism(feminism) ended up producing males of two opposite groups.

• Bad boys who stopped caring or behaving. They produce most of children and create most of problems.
• Nice boys who are drilled to respect and revere women. But when bad boys create messes, nice boys frequently end up sharing the blame with them.

[nopardons]

Something is very much amiss here. Felicity Kendal is 60 something and Nigella has a HUGE bum ( hich English men like a lot ! ),can cook,has a pretty face, but hasn't a clue about what to wear. Honestly, I think that this article is not only just a puff piece, but utter drivel. LOL

[Paul C. Jesup]

If you think this is scary. Somebody should tell you about 'Japanese pretty boys'. It seems Japan is about 10 years further/worse off than England.