Alex Speaks

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Metrosexual Men:

How is it that women are so often expected to be the height of primped - shaved legs, manicured and painted nails, styled hair, flawless make-up, trendy clothes, alluring fragrance...? Do you, men out there, have any idea how long it takes for us, women, to get ready, and how much money it all costs? Mmm... Ok, so maybe you do.

Well, has the time come for all men to bump up the aesthetic bar a notch, or two, and become metrosexuals? Oh, but what exactly is metrosexual? Ok, well, basically, he’s is an urban male who embodies vanity in a positive way; generally he keeps up on the latest fashions, he waxes and trims, and has manicures. He never has a hair out of place. He goes to the gym everyday and freely spends money on his aesthetics and lifestyle. And, perish the thought of shampoo and hair gel, the metrosexual male only uses "products" on his fine locks!

I guess a lot of people say - it's just a fad. A catch phrase being exploited by the media. At the end of the last century it was the Nirvana inspired 'grunge' - unkempt, lanky looking hair and rugged unshaven faces. I loved Kurt Cobain's music, but jeez, couldn't he have used a razor and a comb? So is this just a passing thing or is the metrosexual the new man of the millennium?

Upon giving the matter a lot of thought—I’m noting more, and more, men's facial products appearing on my favourite skin care counter. While older males are still content with the cheap buzz and cut, there are more men at my unisex salon having their hair 'styled'.

Remember the now deceased danseur Rudolph Nureyev? Metrosexual men out there will know exactly who I'm talking about! I read a biography about him a while back. Countless women fell in love and lust with this man. "He spoilt me for all other men," one lamented. Some people might have accused him of being effeminate he was, after all, just so totally in touch with his 'feminine side', but perhaps he was just ahead of his time –the original metrosexual man!

But what's this new breed of man like in the sack? That's what women want to know, isn't it?
There's got to be more to a metrosexual man than just his appearance. Is he more aware of his woman's needs? Does he mind sleeping on 'the wet spot'? Does he say: "Oh, that's fine, I don’t mind, we can make love another time if you're feeling tried tonight."? And, I wonder does he ever fall asleep immediately after sex!

Our culture is changing and our sexuality is not questioned as closely as it once was. It's ok that he wants be as attractive for you as you are for him. Preening will no longer automatically slaps him with 'gay' tag. He likes to look good, and yet he's still not about to let his ego to rule his life. Oh, yes, Sir-ee! He's likeable, liberated, and loving it!

But - wait just a modern minute. Amazing as all this might seem, according to a recent survey, only one in five women actually want a metrosexual man! It would seem that most women still want their men to be just as nature intended them to be—sex driven, testosterone pumped animals who can be ready for night on the town in the same time it takes, us, women to decided what we’re going to wear! And you know what? I have to be totally honest here, I'm one of these women. I’ll take my rugged and rough around the edges man any day over a darling metrosexual—and especially at night!