By The Way...

Off the AOL Welcome screen: Men in spas. Apparently more guys than ever are pampering themselves with massages, facial scrubs and the inexplicable cucumber-on-the-eyes thing. It's tied to that "metrosexual" thing, "metrosexual" being the new word for guys who aren't comfortable calling themselves a "fop," "dandy," or "Alan Alda," which would have been the words from other eras.

I note that I fit most of the apparent criteria for metrosexuality (which requires a large measure of education, straightness and willingness not worry about whether the other boys are laughing at you when you dance with your woman) but I think I'd rather die than put myself in the category. For one thing, I'm too damn lazy; you can't be a metrosexual when the reason you have a beard is that it just takes too much time to shave. For another thing, I'm totally color-blind in the moisturizer and hair-gel range and I can't possibly imagine at this late date that I'd take a sudden interest. I'm way past hair gel anyway; at this point in time it'd just make my scalp glossy. As for manicures: Dude, I bite my nails. Like a man. Finally, no offense, you mets, but I've got a few other things on my agenda other than searching out the perfect exfoliant. Nice that you have the time for that, but I just don't.

I have nothing against metrosexuals, mind you. Heck, some of my best friends are metrosexual. Would I want my daughter marrying one? Well, no, but that's because she's four. By the time she's of the marrying mind, they'll be called something else. I don't imagine I'll mind if she wants to marry someone like that, except to note to her that there's a certain level of interest in personal grooming that's normal and healthy, and there's a certain level that bespeaks of a pointless self-centeredness, and it's best to know how many hair care products are too many. Of course, that's advice that works across both sexes.

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• #3 Comment from diplomachismo 
  11/21/03 3:35 PM | Permalink

  Metrosexuals are coming out of the 'dressing room' due to a more open acceptance of homosexuals. There is a much broader understanding of what being male means in this country. I am all in favor of it. If those 17th century frilly collars and tights try and make a come back though- I'll be driving my pickup out to the woods with a rifle and some beechnut in my chaw lookin' fer sum'in t' keel.
• #2 Comment from dirond 
  11/21/03 12:27 PM | Permalink

  Interesting that "metrosexual" has transformed from "yuppie" somehow. I guess it's a sign of the times, except that from the description, the metrosexual seems to be much more narcissistic. Would I want MY daughter marrying one? Nope!! Not unless they had 2 bathrooms!!!
  
  Regards,
  Diane
  
• #1 Comment from flavastyle 
  11/21/03 9:35 AM | Permalink

  I love a man who takes care of himself ... but it's a problem when a man spend more time at the spa or his appearance then I do. lol