It seems that in our society there is still an unspoken, but very strict double standard. A woman – at any age, in any weather and mood – should look like she's on the cover. God forbid someone sees an extra kilo, a wrinkle or – oh horror! – a hint of cellulite. Society immediately passes sentence: she's let herself go.
What about men? And here the bar of expectations lies somewhere at the level of the plinth. A man simply exists – breathes, stands on two legs and that's where the requirements for him usually end. But times are changing, and this seems to scare many adherents of the old school.
Powerful smell
Judging by the reactions of some people on social media and on the streets, there is a belief that a real man should be tough, unwashed, and smell like a mixture of sweat, tobacco, and hard life. Did you go to the hairdresser once every three months when your bangs started to get in your eyes? Well done, hero!
Now men have access to everything: spa treatments, massages, men's manicures (yes, it's just neat nails, not red polish) and even eyebrow correction. Men's salons have appeared exclusively for men – barbershops. Everything is brutal there: leather chairs, whiskey, serious conversations. Men sit there with a buzz while they get their beards steamed and a stylish haircut. And at the exit we have a well-groomed, pleasant person.
It's surprising when some women praise their chosen ones simply for the fact that they washed. Seriously? This is a base, not an achievement.
Battle for the pants
As soon as a man puts on skinny jeans or bares his ankle in sneakers, the diagnosis is made. “He must be gay!”, “Where did he buy those tights?”
Of course, there should be moderation in everything. Skinny jeans that are bursting at the seams can look comical on a solid guy with a belly. Clothing should be appropriate for age, situation, and physique — it's hard to disagree with the classics of style here.
But on the other hand, baggy pants that hang like a bag on your knees, or stretched out sneakers with bubbles, are a clear sign that a person doesn't care about their appearance.
Does a man have the right to stylish clothes, even if they are slightly different from a miner's uniform? Absolutely.
The paradox of the stack and the hammer
For some reason, it is believed that if a man has hair styling products (sometimes more expensive than his wife's), he automatically becomes a narcissist.
I'll let you in on a secret: these things are not mutually exclusive. You can go to the barbershop once every three weeks, smell like expensive perfume, play sports, and still be a reliable support.
Such a “fashionista” can be strong, hardy, and will never let a woman carry heavy bags from the supermarket. He can meet her in the middle of the night, assemble furniture with his own hands, design shelves in the hallway, and install the front door.
A real man (and not just a “normal” one, because normal is about body temperature) is characterized primarily by actions.
Who and what are men to blame for?
There is one wise thought: “In this world, no one, ever, is to blame for anything or anyone.”
All people have the right to be imperfect. But that doesn't mean you have to spend all your free time sitting on the couch with a beer, scratching your heels and growing an authoritative belly, pretending that appearance is not the main thing for a man.
If that's okay with you, enjoy it, it's your life.
But those who choose sports, self-care, and modern clothing should not be reproached for wrong orientation or excessive self-love.
A healthy, fit person who smells nice is always better than the stereotypical image of a powerful, smelly, and hairy person.
What do you think? Let's talk about it in the comments!
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Should a man be handsome and take care of himself, or is it enough to just be a little better than a monkey?
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