The Essential Man
Resolute, brave, intelligent, curious, humorous, clever, enterprising, empathetic. Wonderful attributes, all. Have we missed anything? Well, with those characteristics one has close to the perfect man. Capable of almost anything. Of course reality is that most men share some of these characteristics but by no means all of them. And in varying degrees, needless to say.
We've missed independence, modesty, humility to a degree, high integrity, entrepreneurial, adventurous, kind and considerate. That's right, just too much for any single individual to be imbued with all of these wonderful traits. But life is a learning journey, and there's no reason why anyone, male or female, couldn't aspire to become just a little bit of everything.
The witty man who knows just when to display his rapier-sharp sense of humour. To share and to entertain, but never to humiliate others. Is that enough? It should be. Should any man be successful in diligently searching out the way by which he is capable of sharing a little bit of each of those desirable personable traits, he is a gem.
Ah, now I know what I've overlooked; personal appearance. Someone who is neat and tidy, aware of appearances, courteous and deferential when need be. Personal hygiene never overlooked. And values, above all estimable values that equate with the priorities in life, the necessities, the good things that give value to our experience of life.
Ah, this is so idealistic. Reality intervenes. Venality and ego and vanity. Making an impression. What's the most integral thing in most peoples' lives today? To be different, yet not too different; not like the cloddish moron who isn't cool, that's what inspires men to display themselves for public consumption.
But hasn't it always been thus? Like the birds whom nature has given colourful display - to attract female birds, the male peacock with its iridescent array of wonderful plumage - males have always primped and cosseted themselves to some degree. Egyptian men of ancient times carefully plucking away all body hair to present a clear, clean organ of skin.
The men who sought to bedazzle with pompous attire, powdered wigs, high-heeled foot coverings with dainty bows, silk garments and codpieces (to draw attention to their priceless organ), throughout the history of male frippery. Modern males are more muted in their attire, preferring the sobriety of dark clothing, leaving outrageously coloured garments to more fashionable and ostentatious gays.
But they have all succumbed - with the exception of those immune to the blandishments of marketing and mass advertising, those men who feel secure in their gender and whose values are rather less incorruptibly suggestible - to perfuming and pampering themselves with expensive, aromatic toiletry, creating a marketing bonanza that threatens to equal that of women's products.
From skin-care products promising moisturizing anti-aging properties, to all manner of grooming aids. Cosmetic companies are having a ball, directing advertising toward the (mostly) urban and (supposedly) urbane male. "Invigorating" male formulas for dermatological care. Gel formulas, pre-and-post-shave creams and oils, a cornucopia of perfumes and cosmetics.
Yes, cosmetics, among the manly soaps and cleansers and moisturizers. It's the effeminate side of men, succumbing to the allure of believing that all these expensive emoluments will make a difference, increase their attraction, bestow the admiring attention of strangers upon them.
As they waft their various scents behind them, striding along the boulevard, entering elevators, conduct meetings.
Men exactingly selecting potions and creams, creating their own little home spas, conducting their own facial experiences, with cleansers, scrubs for exfoliation, followed by a pleasantly fragrant antioxidant-filled serum.
And think of those sport figures and popular entertainers who have expanded their popular appeal into the realm of male cosmetics, their celebrity appealing further to the gullible who somehow believe that with the use of the creams and cosmetics that bear their favourite celebrities' names they can emulate them.
Ugh.
We've missed independence, modesty, humility to a degree, high integrity, entrepreneurial, adventurous, kind and considerate. That's right, just too much for any single individual to be imbued with all of these wonderful traits. But life is a learning journey, and there's no reason why anyone, male or female, couldn't aspire to become just a little bit of everything.
The witty man who knows just when to display his rapier-sharp sense of humour. To share and to entertain, but never to humiliate others. Is that enough? It should be. Should any man be successful in diligently searching out the way by which he is capable of sharing a little bit of each of those desirable personable traits, he is a gem.
Ah, now I know what I've overlooked; personal appearance. Someone who is neat and tidy, aware of appearances, courteous and deferential when need be. Personal hygiene never overlooked. And values, above all estimable values that equate with the priorities in life, the necessities, the good things that give value to our experience of life.
Ah, this is so idealistic. Reality intervenes. Venality and ego and vanity. Making an impression. What's the most integral thing in most peoples' lives today? To be different, yet not too different; not like the cloddish moron who isn't cool, that's what inspires men to display themselves for public consumption.
But hasn't it always been thus? Like the birds whom nature has given colourful display - to attract female birds, the male peacock with its iridescent array of wonderful plumage - males have always primped and cosseted themselves to some degree. Egyptian men of ancient times carefully plucking away all body hair to present a clear, clean organ of skin.
The men who sought to bedazzle with pompous attire, powdered wigs, high-heeled foot coverings with dainty bows, silk garments and codpieces (to draw attention to their priceless organ), throughout the history of male frippery. Modern males are more muted in their attire, preferring the sobriety of dark clothing, leaving outrageously coloured garments to more fashionable and ostentatious gays.
But they have all succumbed - with the exception of those immune to the blandishments of marketing and mass advertising, those men who feel secure in their gender and whose values are rather less incorruptibly suggestible - to perfuming and pampering themselves with expensive, aromatic toiletry, creating a marketing bonanza that threatens to equal that of women's products.
From skin-care products promising moisturizing anti-aging properties, to all manner of grooming aids. Cosmetic companies are having a ball, directing advertising toward the (mostly) urban and (supposedly) urbane male. "Invigorating" male formulas for dermatological care. Gel formulas, pre-and-post-shave creams and oils, a cornucopia of perfumes and cosmetics.
Yes, cosmetics, among the manly soaps and cleansers and moisturizers. It's the effeminate side of men, succumbing to the allure of believing that all these expensive emoluments will make a difference, increase their attraction, bestow the admiring attention of strangers upon them.
As they waft their various scents behind them, striding along the boulevard, entering elevators, conduct meetings.
Men exactingly selecting potions and creams, creating their own little home spas, conducting their own facial experiences, with cleansers, scrubs for exfoliation, followed by a pleasantly fragrant antioxidant-filled serum.
And think of those sport figures and popular entertainers who have expanded their popular appeal into the realm of male cosmetics, their celebrity appealing further to the gullible who somehow believe that with the use of the creams and cosmetics that bear their favourite celebrities' names they can emulate them.
Ugh.
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posted by Pieface @ 5:36 PM
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