I think it is safe to say, I am never going to participate in a conversation like the above.

What are the defining characteristics of a regular heterosexual man? What are those personality traits or interests that refer chiefly to males? Is it being rough around the edges, not being too sensitive, sports loving, beer drinking, and all things cars and fishing? Is this the true definition of masculinity? Perhaps twenty years ago it was. Nowadays that classification, towards some men, is somewhat antiquated. You see a new category of man has emerged in recent years. A new subsection that floats in between the definable characteristics of Guy guys and Gay guys. Meet the new type of man. The Metrosexual.

Before you get confused…let me explain.

Just what is the metrosexual you ask? Metros are those men who enjoy things that have long been associated to being non-masculine and until now have only been appreciated by gay men such as shopping, being interested in fashion, having an affinity to being tidy, cooking, and drinking wine for example. Those men who's world don't revolve around sports and who may be more interested in reading than say, catching the Hockey playoffs. Those men who still chase skirts but at the same time can sit through and enjoy an evening at the theatre. It is like enjoying all the benefits of being gay without the sex. (And the handle bar moustaches and Bronski Beat! Okay, I promised myself one joke. I'm done…).

Now there are varying degrees of where you can lie on the metrosexual scale of course. I for one know I am not an atypical guy guy. I am not what you would call a sports fanatic by any means (what's that word…understatement? What?), I have always been interested in fashion and care what I wear, I don't often wonder if I could take other guys in fights, I enjoy wine, and I like to dabble in cooking (and also apparently like to say the word "dabble"? Okay...that was a bit dandy let me rephrase that last one) Ahem…I also like to cook. That's better. However, I will admit I do like SOME sports (wrestling is a sport right? God I'm lame), I have a strong taste for beer, still get a kick out of belching, and I never, ever enjoy a good cry. But nonetheless of where you fall on the meter, metrosexual's influence is growing more and more in today's man. Masculinity is no longer simply defined by our interests or habits but rather through our character. A man's interest in fashion and his choice of drink doesn't necessarily need dictate his sexual orientation. What makes a man a man has changed with the times. Now it's just up to the ladies to figure out which one of us jerks they really want.

…but that's just my opinion.

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