Any grownup should have a wide range of skills at their beck and call. Everyone should know how to take care of themselves and their loved ones, whether it’s just another mundane day or an actual emergency. Stuff like knowing how to sew on a button, cooking a meal that’s more sophisticated than making cereal, taking care of your verdant garden (and what not to do, say, if you come across a bear).
Unfortunately, some people still divide up some activities and behaviors according to gender, based on some pretty ambiguous assumptions. This idea sparked a discussion online after redditor u/international_red07 asked everyone to share some “unmanly” things that are actually the opposite. Scroll down to read what people had to say about this.
#1
I have a beard that would make sasquatch jealous. I like scotch whiskey, Dominican cigars, and American motorcycles. I worked most of my adult life as an ironworker. But none of that is the manly part:
When my daughter was 3 to about 6 or 7, it was common for me to go to work with my nails painted every color of the rainbow.
Letting your little girl paint your nails is manly as f**k, gentlemen.
Image source: punksmostlydead, halfpoint
#2
Supporting women’s rights. Real men don’t need to control women.
Image source: sagan_drinks_cosmos, RODNAE Productions
#3
If someone tells you something is “unmanly”, tell them a real man would be secure enough in their manliness to not give a s**t what they think.
Image source: TheMan5991, Hannah Nelson
#4
Ordering a fruity drink.
“A real man orders a beer!”
No, a real man orders whatever the f**k he wants.
Image source: Incredible_Mandible, cottonbro studio
#5
When I was a kid I was once at a clothing store and I saw a pink men’s shirt. I said out loud “what kind of men wear pink shirts???” and my mom said “secure men”. For some reason that always stuck with me.
Image source: anon, Jimmy Jimmy
#6
“NOTHING IS MORE BADASS THAN TREATING A WOMAN WITH RESPECT”
-MR. TORGUE
Image source: smiling_at_cheese, Ketut Subiyanto
#7
I had guys tell me it’s unmanly to use/carry an umbrella.
Those wet, insecure bastards can go screw themselves!
Image source: IntergalacticPopTart, Nikita Ananjevs
#8
Being an attentive and involved father. I can change a diaper one handed and I’m proud of that fact.
Image source: probabletrump, Ketut Subiyanto
#9
Reflection and apologizing when you’re wrong.
Image source: playdoughfaygo, Alex Green
#10
Sewing. When you’re stuck on a boat in the Pacific during WWII, you’d better know how to stich up your own uniform. Source: both of my grandfathers.
Image source: DrSmartron, Ron Lach
#11
I love growing flowers, sewing, cooking, baking, and other activities that are viewed by some as “girly” activities. I also love traditionally manly things like fishing, building furniture, mowing my lawn, etc.
A long time ago I was upset by some of my friends ribbing me for liking to do “girly” things. My dad handled this by teaching me that the manliest thing a man can do is “whatever the hell he wants”.
Image source: thedopfien60, Tima Miroshnichenko
#12
Buying feminine products for your SO. I have no shame buying tampons or pads when I do the grocery shopping, which is always. Men that get all embarrassed or won’t do it are the “unmanly” ones.
Image source: atreus227
#13
I heard cooking for your family labeled as unmanly due to men wearing an apron around a gas stove, by the same people who grill for their family while wearing an apron around a gas grill.
Image source: Qimmosabe_Man, Gary Barnes
#14
My friends were amazed at how I “allowed” some drunk guy talk to my girlfriend for like 10 minutes at a festival. Bro, why the f**k would I care, she didn’t seem distressed and enjoyed the conversation and I’m not insecure. She’d tell me/let me know if she was uncomfortable and needed help. I don’t feel threatened, I have nothing to proof and my girlfriend is not some possesion I need to protect from other men.
Going up to the guy and doing whatever just makes you seem to radiate insecurity to me. Not manliness.
Image source: Your_Black_Nemesis
#15
Holding your friends accountable and calling them out when they’re being a d**k towards women or just in general.
Image source: 4231297
#16
Talking to cats in a cute voice.
Image source: learnersnation
#17
Hygiene and cleanliness. I live on my own and I love having a clean and neat house.
Image source: TheMonkophile, Andrea Piacquadio
#18
Wearing sunscreen. Nothing looks dumber than a guy who’s so afraid to seem “girly” that he gets turned into a lobster.
Image source: an_ineffable_plan, Kindel Media
#19
Being gay. I mean u are a man and you like man’s. What could be more manly
Image source: Flimsy-Recover-7236
#20
Ballet. Those dudes are strong!
Image source: neocondiment
#21
I’ve always been more attracted to “manly” but smart and funny. I was dating an honorably discharged marine who is now a pastry chef for maybe 2 weeks when I mentioned he’s the best of both worlds. He’s manly and strong but also smart and gentle. His response: “I know. I built this narrative.” Known each other for 14yrs, dated for 7, married for 5. Absolutely in love.
Image source: anon
#22
Cooking, cleaning, folding laundry, being good with kids, being patient, crying, hugging your good guy friends
Image source: National_Square_3279, Vanessa Loring
#23
When my dad was a kid, a bully told him to meet him after school for a beating. Dad simply never showed up and went directly home instead.
Image source: ugagradlady, Mikhail Nilov
#24
Being there for your kids
Image source: doravec88, August de Richelieu
#25
Crying; men can have feelings, too!
Image source: _magicalmomo_
#26
Walking away from a physical fight, instead of getting involved/the whole “I could put you in hospital but I won’t” nonsense. A true “alpha”, if you must use that word, doesn’t need to assert his dominance like that.
Image source: tihurricane, Keira Burton
#27
Gardening.
I’ve also been called a homosexual by multiple other guys for saying I like gardening.
Image source: exit-life
#28
Taking care of your skin. I hate how some of the guys I work with and serve with (I’m in the army) give me s**t for using products for my face and skin. But they also wonder why I get told I look like I’m 25 even though I’m almost 36. Because I take care of my body.
Image source: Reasonable_Spare_870, Ron Lach
#29
Tea party with toddlers
Image source: knockfart
#30
Respecting boundaries.
Image source: Unsolicited_Spiders, cottonbro studio
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