Skills Every Man Must Master
The other day I wrote about the signs that indicate a guy is whipped (see May 8th), so today I thought I would follow it up with the traits that make you a real man. According to Esquire, here are a few of the skills every man must master:
- cook meat… somewhere other than a grill
- buy a suit (price, fit, purpose)
- throw a punch
- chop down a tree (know your escape path!)
- call his poison (brand, amount, style)
Do you agree with this list? What other skills would you add? Share your point of view by clicking on the No Comments/Comments link at the bottom. Today’s Jack Nation bonus code is MANLY. It’s valid until 11:59 p.m. on May 15th.
May 13th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
I agree with everything, save the suit buying. Not every industry requires a dozen Armanis. I would remote control dexterity. The Simpsons are only on about 50 times a day and finding it everytime can be tricky. hehe
KSS
Carly’s Note: A dozen Armanis, no, but everyone has weddings and funerals to attend. You need one good suit that fits you properly. If you honestly can’t afford one, buy one that is slightly too big at Goodwill and pay to have it dry cleaned and tailored.
May 13th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Hmm, let me see if I qualify -
Cook meat - Do hot dogs boiled in a pot of water count?
Buy a suit - I have a suit, somewhere. My mom made it for me!
Throw a punch - I did that once. But my mom was so angry that I broke her favourite punchbowl and wasted good punch, that she confiscated my suit!
Chop down a tree - I think that’s axing for too much.
Call his poison - Guinness. (What? I’m not allowed to give ONE straight answer?)
Seriously, I have always believed that a truly defining characteristic is a sense of accountability. Of course, it shouldn’t (and doesn’t) apply to just men, but I feel it’s more manly to own up to your responsibilities than to bench-press 100 kilos, or handle yourself in a scrap.
But then, maybe I just saw one too many after-school specials as I was growing up…
Cheers!
-S.B.
Carly’s Note: Taking ownership is so rare these days. When someone offers a genuine apology, it diffuses the situation. It’s a sign of strength, not weakness, I agree.
May 13th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Here are a few other things I think a man should be able to do (in no particular order):
Eat spicy foods or eat food with hot sauce
Drive a car with manual transmission
Change a flat tire
Hold a door open for anyone
Know how to use tools, power or otherwise
Be able to explain the rules of most major sports
Treat a lady right
Carly’s Note: I like the way you think! Just one question - how do you train yourself to eat spicy food if you have a weak stomach?
May 13th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
I would add…..keeping your word!
Carly’s Note: And strength of character!
May 13th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
A man who treats his wife as a equal.
Carly’s Note: Nice addition to the list. You’re a keeper!
May 14th, 2008 at 7:25 am
Meh. I’d be happy never needing to know how to wear a suit or noose for the rest of my life. I don’t even want to wear that straitjacket when I die.
Aren’t cooking meat, drinking and fighting just ingrained in guys? It’s the inner caveman!
Carly’s Note: That’s too bad because wearing a well-tailored suit is a hot look for a man.
May 14th, 2008 at 7:31 am
I laughed so hard at the conversation about the suit borrowing. Only a man! Anyway one more thing that makes a man a man is Working with his hands. A real man works hard all day, physically and comes home dirty. There’s nothing more gross than a man with smooth soft hands and manicured nails who is fussy about what he wears to work. Ick! A real man should also have a full set of tools at home and know how to use em’.
Carly’s Note: I have to disagree with you Leanne. Although I can appreciate a man who works with his hands, I hate dirt under fingernails. Jagged, overgrown toenails are a turn off, too.
May 14th, 2008 at 7:36 am
Hi Carly
The list is kinda short but appropriate. I would add a few more that I think are higher on list:
To be able to fix any appliance.
To know what is wrong with your vehicle (too complicated to fix these days but at least have an idea)
To be able to do home renovations (know what end of the hammer to use).
Know when to call for help (when you get over your head).
Know what to say in every situation (but not be a smartass).
Most important-Know how to treat a lady (like yourself).
This is not a complete list but some of the more important ones I think in addition to the ones from Esquire.
Love your show and look forward to listening to you every day.
Your No 1 Admirer
Gary
Carly’s Note: Can’t argue with that list, Gary.
May 14th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Iron a shirt - I hate a guy who looks like he slept in it and sew on a botton - they would rather go out and buy another pair of pants.
TTFN
Louise
Carly’s Note: I hate creased shirts, too! I use a steamer instead of an iron, but hope one day, when I win the lottery, I’ll be able to send my clothes out to be pressed.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Carly, to answer your question, if you have a weak stomach, have some Immodium or Pepto Bismol handy. LOL And maybe some milk to cool down the fire in your mouth.
Carly’s Note: So, real men drink milk?
May 14th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
There’s spicy hot and Tasty hot, and neither should hurt your stomach.
A bit of heat on the way down or for a second wakes up the tastebuds, and shouldn’t overwhelm them.
Bread takes away hot, not water and Pepto.
You can learn to like it, I make my own pepper sauces, and the wife needent botherr with hers any more.
As for the suit thing, it should be mentioned that a reasonably healthy body should be underneath; can’t hide a huge gut with a cumberbund!
Carly’s Note: No, you’re right about the cumberbund. A double-breasted suit isn’t good camouflage, either.
May 14th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Louie, Jack and Gary,
I think after reading what you all wrote that you are ALL GREAT GUYS!! Kudo’s to you (my blogging friends) as I already knew it!! You too Tiberius!
BTW, your right Louie, for spicy food,, water does NOT help, milk does!!
CARLY,
I hate ironing and really don’t have to as my dryer perma presses eveything, but I saw an ad on TV for a steam machine that does clothes, your mattress, pillows, drapes while being hung up and it’s called “THE TOBI”. Did you ever see the ad (it on very late at night, infomercial) ?Anyway, if you have it, please let me know as they are now available (for a lot cheaper too) at Canadian Tire and I bought one but have yet to try it as I was going to give it to my Mom (who hates to iron, but said she doesn’t mind ironing now while she watches T.V. and I couldn’t convince her to take it) so I don’t want to open it and use it if I don’t really need it, but the commercial sure makes it look fantastic. Please let me know if that’s what you’re using and if not, I would suggest you buy one, especially if you hate ironing AND THE MEN WOULD LOVE IT!!!.
Your fan,
April
Carly’s Note: I’m not sure what make my steamer is. I don’t think it’s called “The Tobi”, though - that I would remember!
May 15th, 2008 at 8:11 am
Hi Carly,
A man must be comfortable in his own skin. If he has to impress people with his car, income, house, etc then you know he’s not secure with himself.
Many years ago i got laid off from my job and had to take a junior contract job to take care of my wife and kids.
On my first day, one of the account managers started razzing me for photo copying reports for one of our VP’s.
While i did feel a little bad that she was making fun of me i knew that i was being a man by doing whatever it took to take care of my family. That is what a real man does.
Ironically, the place i was at liked my work so much that they offered me a permanent more senior position but after 3 months another company scooped me up as a marketing manager and the girl who made fun of me got laid off during some re-structuring!
While it would have been easy to gloat a real man doesn’t wish hardship on others but just wants to be respected.
Have agreat day:)
Carly’s Note: Poetic justice.