Most of you know I hate hip phrases and trendy topics. Currently one of my least favorites is “mansplaining.” I hate that term. I also hate the phrase ” locker room talk.”
With that being said, I think guys need to get real with each other. So here’s some real locker room talk. Read on guys cause I’ve got some mansplaining to do.
1. “I love you.”
I love you is one of the most powerful phrases in the English language, but men have been afraid to use it for years. It’s time to get over that fear. There are at least four types of love: Sexual, brotherly, familial, and unconditional. As a man you don’t have to use all of them, but you better use some of them.
2. “Wear sunscreen and face lotion.”
This is an important lesson that I learned too late. Protecting and taking care of your only defense against the outside world is important. Skincare isn’t only for females. Take care of your skin. Especially your face. It’s the only one you’ve got.
3. “I have a baby seat in the back seat of my car.”
A female friend of mine was very surprised when she found out that I drive around with a baby seat in the back of my truck all the time. She thought I would think that would make me seem less manly. To me it says that I protect and take care of my children. What’s more manly than that?
4. “Your girl is too hot for you, get to the gym.”
We live in a society where women take good physical care of themselves, but men (by and large) do not. Not only that, but society expects women to take care of themselves but that same expectation is not placed on men. That’s dumb. Go to the gym before your girl realizes how out of shape you are.
5. “Women are your equals, treat them as such.”
Some people think the Bible teaches that men are somehow superior to women. That’s not true at all. The Biblical creation story says that God created women to be “a helper who is equal.” Men and women have equal value but a different skill set. The two were meant to compliment each other, not compete. The truth is the Christian worldview says every human is made in the image of God and therefore has intrinsic value regardless of race, sexuality, age or ability. It’s actually the evolutionary worldview which teaches that people are unequal in value and only as profitable as their abilities. Survival of the fittest cares nothing about equality between the sexes, or equality of any kind. Many men have been listening to the wrong worldview and it’s time to recalculate.
6. “You can be strong but not gentle, but you can’t be gentle and not strong.”
Anyone can be strong and use that strength to railroad people. That’s easy. But true strength is strong enough to also be gentle. Gentleness is strength and gentlemen are strong.
7. “You are your kid’s hero, don’t you dare waste that.”
Your children are born thinking you are Superman. As soon as you become a dad you get to be a superhero. Your kids start their life thinking you are a hero so don’t you dare waste that opportunity by being selfish. It doesn’t matter if you aren’t a hero in any other area of your life, you have to be one here.
8. “Learn how to grill, smoke a cigar, and play poker whether you actually do those activities or not.”
Also be able to have a basic conversation about sports. Trust me, all these activities are important even though they aren’t.
9. “Any guy can get multiple women, I’m not impressed by that. Monogamy and loyalty are impressive.”
In guy world a man is often judged by the quality and quantity of females he can attract. Unfortunately this leads some men to think “the more the merrier,” and sometimes it’s simply so a guy can to prove to himself that he is able to get multiple suitors. But that’s not impressive. Anyone can get multiple people to be attracted to them. Try being loyal in a world that has no idea how to do so. Try being faithful when other options present themselves. That’s real strength. That’s actually impressive.
10. “Stop always waiting for something better to come along. Most girls are too good for you anyway.”
In the dating marketplace most girls undervalue themselves and most guys overvalue themselves. If this blog were for females, this is where I would say, “Set your standards higher and stop settling.” But it’s for guys so instead I’ll say, “Stop expecting to bag Angelina Jolie; you aren’t Brad Pitt.”
11. “I need help.”
Guys often have trouble asking for help. I know, because I often do. But no man can do everything himself. Nor was he built to try to do so. There’s no such thing as self-made. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You aren’t the Lone Ranger. And even if you are, even the masked man still needed Tonto.
