On Manliness

[Spook]

I suppose this is the correct pace to put this, though I believe it is important for everyone to see. This thread is about true Manliness; about what Manliness really is. There has been much confusion about what Manliness is, so I'll do my best to clear all of it up.

You may wonder, what gives me the right to decide what Manliness is? I don't decide what it is, I merely know. I have drawn from such sources as Captain Falcon, Chuck Norris, Mr. T, and a few others. Through all of my research and inquiries, I have come up with an easy way to explain true Manliness. That way is listing off some simple facts about Manliness. For instance:

Bragging is not manly. Showing off isn't either.

Actions speak louder than words. Just look at Captain Falcon or Chuck Norris.

Taking yourself too seriously is a big no-no for Manliness.

Being polite and considerate to others is generally Manly (though there are some exceptions).

Profanity is NOT Manly. At all.

Doing things in awesome, almost-flamboyant ways can be Manly. Just don't be over the top.

A true man is honor-bound.

Being called Manly is a great compliment. But if you notice that a female owns several Manly qualities (not in appearance, of course), be considerate and just call her awesome.

Wearing pink is usually Unmanly but if you can pull off being Manly while wearing pink, you are very Manly. Just look at Captain Falcon when he wears pink.

Bringing rainclouds on someone's fun just to be a jerk is Unmanly.

Now, those are just a few of the many facts regarding Manliness. In case you're wondering, I also evaluate Manliness. Unfortunately, I must know a good deal about whatever is to be evaluated before I come to any sort of conclusion. So, if you would like me to evaluate how Manly you are or something else is, let me know and I will do my best.

I will leave you with a video song that resonates Manliness.

[Spook]

Basically, if you've got a problem with something or someone, take care of it in an appropriate way. If the problem is someone beating up your friend, then Manliness demands that you act accordingly. But if the problem is something like a person cutting you off on the road or someone taking the last bag of chips, then take it like a man and don't lose your cool.

The people I generally find the least Manly are the ones who are willing to step up and "defend" themselves in the smallest and least-threatening situations, but won't lift a finger when it counts. Also people who look down their noses at everything really get a negative rating of Manliness.

Remember, a person who has the ability to endure is stronger than the person who cannot. If you can take a punch to the gut, then maybe that's the best thing to do: just take it like a man. But there is absolutely no reason to let someone walk all over you. Stand up for yourself, and do it in a Manly way!

What's more awesome? Knocking someone out before they have a chance to hurt you? Or taking the punch to the face smiling at your assailant, and then knocking them out?

Of course, you must act differently for every situation. Sometimes, the Manliest way to deal with something can be very surprising.

[Ashstripe]

I disagree with the 'taking a hit to the face' part being more awesome than knocking someone out before they have a chance to hurt you. A punch to the face is a punch to the face and it does hurt. Manly or not, its a stupid way to go about it.

Sure I follow the philosophy, 'never throw the first punch', both inside and outside the ring, but blocking their punch and getting them to the ground in a few seconds, looks a lot more awesome not to mention a smarter way to go.

Believe me, I've been there.

So my point is, there's a difference between 'being tough and sucking it up' and being an idiot. Sure, I could go pick up that big 50kg(Approx. 100lb) box at my job on my own just to show off to the girls and show how strong I am, but I'd probably do my arms or even my back in the process.

And I refuse to toughen up and suck up being a paraplegic or something like that.

So what qualifies manliness in my books? Probably just one quality - never giving up. I read somewhere a while ago 'the day I give up is the day I die.'. Whether your refusing to lose your temper or refusing to give up when your running 6km that's what defines a man, its the same quality that keeps a man going.

His mental breaking point. That's what defines a man. I know from experience that my mental breaking point is a lot further than my physical one XD.

[Spook]

I guess I should have explained it better. Taking the punch to the face doesn't make you Manly; instead, making the other person regret punching you in the face before you knock them out IS Manly.

I suppose what I originally said just sounded like, "Be a pansy." But I assure you, never would I encourage anyone to let themselves get hurt. You are one-hundred percent correct, Ash. Taking the punk down in as quick a way as you can, and not letting them do anything to you, is awesome.

However, what I meant to say was this: Don't take the less Manly path just because it's more comfortable. Sometimes, rewards are measured by how great a journey is. Sure, it's easier to lie or cheat your way out of something in the short run, but really, in the end it will catch up to you.

Now, I'm not saying take every bullet you see or push yourself past your limit. No, instead, just enjoy what you have and take it as far as you can. That's Manly.

[Kyo]

Daniel, the Guru sage of Manliness...

[Elicia]

Hrm. Well, all I can say is that if you hope to impress girls with this, it ain't workin'. I find this rather amusing, actually. Has anyone thought to ask a girl what THEIR idea of manliness is?

No.

That's the funny part: don't the 'manly' men always get the girls? XD So shouldn't it be US that are writing the rules of manliness?

And I promise I'm not 'Bringing rain clouds on someone's fun just to be a jerk'. Just curious, as what I think is manly hardly corresponds to this.

[Ashstripe]

This could turn into a he said she said debate XD.

Well there's really two types of that, to me anyways. Manliness is something more of respect among your fellow man. I know plenty of boys who get the girls - doesn't mean I respect them and it doesn't mean I think their manly.

And you tell me if you think an Emo-hair style with drain-pipe jeans is anywhere close to manly. Sure his girlfriend might love it, but amongst non-metro kind(Read: About the rest of the population.), we all think he's a scrawny pansy. But this is the second supposed type of manliness, he gets the girls alright, but he doesn't get much respect.

But I'm in the land down under with the Wallaby God and Crocodile Dundee - as an Aussie, I'm narrow minded and wrestled crocs from birth, so what do I know? Maybe the metro look is the new manly..

Not bloody likely.

[Grath]

I personally am finding this discussion quite amusing. Manliness? Really? What's with the oh-shoot-me-now term? I think what you're referring to may be macho-ness. If thats a word. But the term 'manliness' and all it implies just makes me laugh at all you guys.

Now, I've never had a boyfriend. I've had crushes, but I never wished to act on them and they were temporary annoyances.

Not to say I don't know what I want in a guy. Strength is nice, but there's more than one type of strength. My guy would have to be 'strong' enough to realize I'm my own person and I can stand on my own, for example.

I'm not going to list them all here. I just wanna say, taking a fist to the face just to show you can and then 'taking them down' makes me go 'Really? You are such an idiot. Get a life.' And I laugh. Really hard.

But you know, continue and all. Have fun.

[Spook]

Jan 3, 2010 15:09:12 GMT -5 Kyo said:

Daniel, the Guru sage of Manliness...

Thank you very much, Kyo.

And now, to address all of the rest of the posters...

Ash... your post is very Manly. I appreciate your outspokenness.

Elicia... I'm just attempting to clear up some cloudy issues with the term Manliness. Really, I view Manliness as something that encompasses many different values: Honor, Bravery, Awesomeness, etc.

Grath... Why so serious?

Anyway, thank you all for contributing to the topic. I have once again not explained very well what I wished to say.

I guess this is what I meant: If you've got something, and people know you've got it, you don't need to show it off. We can all agree that it's pretty annoying when someone with huge muscles takes every opportunity there is to show them off.

It's easier to respect a strong person who is modest than a strong person who isn't.

(I hope people aren't taking this thread and myself too seriously... Remember, I'm a goofball.)

[Vikenti Whitedeath]

If your a muslim stuffing a loaded grenade in your mouth and jumping own the steps onto a crowded subway terminal is manly. It gets the girls to. 72 virgins to be exact. But none of us(hopefully) would find that very admirable. Views on manliness differ greatly.

[Spook]

... o.o;

I really hope this thread doesn't turn into a flame war. Please don't do that to my humble little thread.

[Elizabeth]

Okay Danny Boy, no worries... That manliness which Merce had described was not real manliness. Manliness is very often a virtue. Manliness is something which you can admire in a person. To some people what they call manliness is really just an opinion. True manliness is strength, not backing down, courage, honer, and standing up for the women and children. Manliness does not equal just plain coolness and strength... right? If you can strive your hardest to be a decent model of true manliness, then yes, it is a virtue.

[greenfang]

I didn't mean I thought muslims were manly. I mean their view is very different from ours. Also, they don't blow up virgins. For destroying the "infidels" Alla gives them 72 virgins for their wives when they die. I'm not trying to be offencive or anything. Just tell me if I go to far.

[Elicia]

Guys, can we change the subject? Most of my best friends are Muslims, and I go to a school where a lot of the student body is Muslim. What you're saying is really offensive to them, and I know they would be really upset if they saw these posts. Please let's be nice to everyone, OK?

[Ashstripe]

Indeed, I'd rather we steer clear of religion since that can escalate into a flame war very quickly. But first, let me enlighten you all and open your minds..

For a start, Islam(Literally: Peace) preaches peace, tolerance and servitude to God(Allah) - don't let the actions of the few define the many.

Furthermore, the belief of 72 Virgins to Mainstream Muslim's is the Christian equivalent of going to heaven with wings and a harp.

I'm Buddhist by the way, not Muslim. I just like to look past all the negative stigma in today's society and find my own truths.

Ehh, I think I've said all I have to really say on the topic of Manliness. Yes modesty is something that I do respect, as the old proverb goes 'In weakness feign strength, in strength feign weakness.'

Put it bluntly; only the weak show off.

[Grath]

Ash is right. Being a Muslim is not a bad thing, nor would most Muslims 'stuff a grenade in their mouths' just so they can get to heaven.

I would go with Ash's recommendation, leave religion out of it, and respect the religions of others. After all, we are all human beings.

[Spook]

Okay, people... I'm going to say what I should have said at the start:

This whole thing about Manliness is sort of a joke. Yes, what I said about Manliness still stands, but no, I'm not serious about all of it. I still consider all that I said about Manliness to be what the term really means, but I'm not trying to indoctrinate anything into anyone.

In layman's terms: Don't take the stuff on this thread too seriously. It's under the Spam section for a reason.

Peace and have a good one,
Daniel

[Ashstripe]

XD. I probably took it a little more seriously than I should...Or probably sounded like it.

Anyways;

www.esquire.com/features/essential-skills-0508

[Elizabeth]

Right-o I won't bring up religion.... ahah sorry mates... Well yeah... Manliness is Manliness.... It just is.. You can't bend the rules and you can't make it something that it is not. *nods*