It's the era of metro-whats?

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review ^ | Sunday, June 29, 2003 | Tom Purcell

[Willie Green]

It's the latest trend in the decline of the American male -- metrosexuals.

Metrosexuals, according to The New York Times, "are straight urban men who are willing, even eager, to embrace their feminine sides." They love to shop with their gal pals. They wear designer jeans, fashionable tops and have long conversations about thread counts. Some even wear makeup and nail polish.

[Restorer]

Most importantly, you should stop defining who you are by the trendy fashions and gadgets you adorn yourself with. A man is not a man until he defines himself by his depth and substance.

I would like to point out that the same applies for women.

But the objectifying and glorification of image over substance for women is far advanced beyond that for men.

They are equally tragic.

Of course, if you believe modern lies, there are no such things as depth and substance. And many of the men and women in question probably really do have none.

[dufekin]

I'm a guy. I didn't understand the article until it got to the three bulleted points, all of which apply to me. Does this mean I'm a moron? No women ever will like or accept me?

I sure hope not. And no, if I decide to date you, I'm not going shopping!

[annyokie]

Thank God I married a cowboy.

[Grut]

My 'feminine side' is my wife.

[timm22]

The average American male should not enjoy shopping. You may go shopping but only under duress, and if you do go, you should whine and complain until your girlfriend or wife finally gives up and agrees to go home.

Mr. Purcell needs to be a little more specific here. There is nothing wrong with a man who likes to shop for power tools, guns, nintendo games, or fattening halftime snacks.

If a man likes shopping for women's clothing (lingerie excepted), then there is a problem.

[conservative cat]

My ex-husband loved to shop more than I did and spent more time on his hair than I did. There's nothing wrong w. guys getting a little bit more culture and style, but... Girls, if a guy outdoes you in categories like shopping, grooming, and wardrobe, RUN!

[shaggy eel]

,,, I'm proud to state that my wife goes shopping for power tools and cars. Sometimes with me, sometimes without me. She's a true metrosexual. We've just redefined the term and want you all to know.

(Lately she's become the owner of an air compressor and staple gun.)

[kcar]

I believe Ann Coulter's term for these guys is even better: Girly men.

[x]

Surely this ought to have been posted under "humor." I suppose in big cities today more guys moisturize or go to spas, but I think someone at the Times is pulling our legs, and turning a marginal phenomenon into the big trend of the day.

What's missing in this article is historical perspective: what about the fops in the 16th and 17th centuries? And Beau Brummell, the dandies, and the dudes of the 19th century? Or Carnaby Street, the mods, and the unisex trend of the 1960s?

Before there was English soccer fop David Beckham, there were American sports dandies like Joe Namath, Joe Frazier, and (I suppose) Don Meredith. If young men are like this today, they had plenty of models in their fathers' generation.

[nothingnew]

"I'm so excited...I just can't hide it!"..."Baaad Girls, talkin' 'bout bad girls..." "I could have danced all night!'---J.Cleese...The Out of Towners

FMCDH

[Sonny M]

Feminine side? I show my feminine side when I drink light beer, thats about it.

[yankeedame]

My 'feminine side' is my wife.

Well said, my friend, well said.

[dagnabbit]

I ran out of deodorant and borrowed the wife's for a few days running. It was "unscented" but had flowers on the side. Now I'm worried. How far down the metro-slippery slope am I?

[longtermmemmory]

this has been posted before. this is just trying to beta male every heterosexual man. The feminist effort to homosexuals normal men.

Any woman who wants a metrosexual deserves not to reproduce.

[LizardQueen]

I ran out of deodorant and borrowed the wife's for a few days running. It was "unscented" but had flowers on the side. Now I'm worried. How far down the metro-slippery slope am I?

You'll be fine, but don't do it again. Now go watch some Nascar, drink some beer, scratch your privates, belch a little, and it will all be okay ::grin::

LQ

[LizardQueen]

Any woman who wants a metrosexual deserves not to reproduce.

I'd sooner date a butchy lesbian than one of these guys. And I'm NOT gay.

LQ, whose husband thankfully looks like Grizzly Adams

[dagnabbit]

...watch some Nascar, drink some beer, scratch your privates, belch a little

Sounds like a plan - Thanks!