In the recent past, new phrases have popped up for describing men. (NO! These are not new swear words. Don't get excited.) They are words for describing them getting in touch with their "other" side. (You'll figure that one out soon enough.)
Words like "meterosexual", "bromance", and "man-scaping".
Why these are such "buzz words", has to do with the connotation that they are associated with men being in touch with their "feminine" side. I am baffled with need for the new phraseology though. Here's why:
Meterosexual. "Hetero" men getting facials, manicures, having their hair "just right", etc., is nothing new, to me anyway. Long ago and far away, I saw this behavior regularly. Serious business men were like that all the time. But instead of "meterosexual", they were referred to as "dapper" or "groomed". Check out some old B&W movies from WAY back and you will see gangsters, Wall Street types, lawyers, politicians even (I know, I could have just mentioned gangsters and covered ALL bases), and you can watch them on the (archaic reference) Silver Screen getting all the attributed services that fit today's definition of "meterosexual". And they'd have been really cranky if it wasn't done right.
Guess what's old, is new again. Just needs a new name to make it stylish. And cost 10 times as much.
Bromance. I've heard reference to a current TV show when this term is mentioned. Seems two of the main characters end up having a quiet sit-down at the end of the work day and chat. Deep personal feeling expressed and shared. And now, it is given a title that signifies a "brotherly relationship" with none of the trappings of "typical, macho, tight lipped behavior". Rich, powerful guys, sharing deep feeling over cigars, a glass of Scotch, and parked in over-stuffed chairs. And it's OK. In fact it is admired.
Funny. I've seen the same thing for years at the local bars. Only for the "not so rich, or powerful" guys. Sharing their problems and issues with their "best buds" over a beer, cigarette (sometimes cigar), and game of pool, backgammon, darts,.... And they were called no-count, worthless bar rats, with even worse friends.
Guess times have changed a bit (maybe cause I never did get into hanging around bars).
Man-scaping. Alright...this one is fair enough. Women for years have been shaving, waxing, plucking, sculpting, dyeing, coif-ing,..."grooming", on a "personal" level. That trend is being taken up by the men. Why the distinction of a title for it, couldn't tell you on this one. Though it does tie in to the "meterosexual" bit. It is "personal grooming", for short. It includes everything from mustache and beard trimmers, to ear and nose hair trimmers, and...other trimmers too.
And I am okay with that. Both the title and the habit. HOWEVER...
I was at a local "Big Box" retailer the other day, looking for a number of household items and passed through the "home appliance" section. Along with the expected pots and pans, vacuum cleaners, irons, flatware, and such, there were assorted other home items included. Things like electric toothbrushes, vibrating and sonic; water filters for both single faucets and whole house. And there were trimmers, for men and women.
One caught my attention though, it looked like a do-it at home haircut/trimmer, only long handled. And the package said it was extend-able. I couldn't quite make out the picture on the package so I took a closer look. It was indeed extend-able by folding open the long handle. And as I pondered "why?" anyone would want a hair cutter with a 14 inch long handle, I took a much closer look at the picture. It was for men to shave their BACK HAIR.
And of course, I blurted out, "You HAVE to be ******* kidding me?!" Remembering I was in the middle of a major store, I quickly turned around to make sure I hadn't just given some elderly person, or some mother with kids, a heart attack. I was cool.
I guess I was born lucky. I don't need a "back-mower" for grooming purposes.
I shudder to think of what they will come up with next. And where they want it used.
Surprises happen.
That is strange! I wonder who came up with that, and I wonder if it works?? Well, I guess there's a "tool" for every job now! Take care - and keep on observing!!
Posted by: martie | September 07, 2009 at 09:28 PM