People Describe The Manliest Things They’ve Ever Done
Austin Ramsey on Unsplash

What does it mean to be manly? For many, that means being the provider for one's family.

It might mean being able to be strong in the face of adversity and not cracking under pressure. For others, it all comes down to actions they take in their daily lives.

"Manliness" might be an arbitrary term, come to think of it, but these stories certainly are not. Strength and courage–and simple acts of kindness–defy all gender boundaries.


People told us their experiences after a Redditor asked the online community:

"What's the manliest thing you've ever done?"

"Saw a car crash..."

"Saw a car crash happen right in front of us on the interstate. Guy pinned between the dash and the guardrail, was getting crushed. 5 or 6 of us lifted the car off of him and held it for five minutes or so until the fire rescue guys could secure it. Other guys would step in during the 5 minutes as guys got tired."

CaptainComic

Sounds like you're all real life superheroes! Amazing!

"Saved my brother from drowning in the ocean in Alaskan winter. He collapsed in the water, and almost got hypothermia, I pulled him to shore, and he started seizing and groaning, I carried him to the nearest shower, and put him in warm water and slowly heated up the water over time. He later gained consciousness and thanked me."

"I could feel the adrenaline rushing through my veins while I carried him, that was the scariest moment of my life. Thankfully a nearby newly wedded groom and bride saw the event, and allowed us into their Airbnb."

ManlyHorror2

Thrilled to hear that you werre able to save him. That must have been so terrifying.

"Pulled six people out..."

"Pulled 6 people out of a burning home in just a pair of gym shorts. I was on the show NY Ink for what was supposed to be a hero episode. Had to go back in and get oxygen tanks to give to an older woman."

leakyokippy

Wow, you are truly someone special. You changed the course of many lives by saving those people! A job well done.

"I once roared at..."

"I once roared at a mountain lion that was on my friend's property. It started at me for a second, then turned around and merged back into the night. I count it as a win."

BenderIsGr834

This sounds like a good premise for a funny TV show: Can You Roar Louder Than a Mountain Lion?

"I helped..."

"I'm a high school teacher. I helped a group of boys tie their ties for graduation."

Grughaz

Hey, that's a skill they'll appreciate for the rest of their lives. Few things make a man look more well put together than wearing a suit and tie.

"Designed..."

"Designed and built all of my own furniture."

markdubois

Well, lookee here! Can you do mine next? Thanks in advance.

"Tying an elderly woman's..."

"Tying an elderly woman’s shoe so that she wouldn’t trip, that elderly woman used to be my grade 6 teacher."

Fuckler

Awww. This is lovely to hear. She really must have appreciated it.

"Gave my combative and delirious father..."

"Gave my combative and delirious father sedatives to help ease his pain/anxiety before he passed away. Then I helped the nurse wash him before the funeral home took him. I was 20 and studying to be a nurse."

cgaels6650

You are a good child. If you have the ability to help ease your loved ones into the next stage pain free, wouldn't you?

"Took him down..."

"Chased down a large man who robbed two people at a football game. Took him down, took his bag, and subdued him until police arrived. I then took off immediately because I didn’t want to have to do a police report."

Pheboosa

You sound like a regular caped crusader. Job well done. You did a good deed and you managed to avoid uncomfortable attention.

"Saved a little girl..."

"Saved a little girl from drowning after she was pulled out by a rip current. The lifeguards got mad and her parents never thanked me."

FettyG_

No good deed goes unpunished. But you did a good thing anyway.

Manliness? What's that?

These are stories of people who did some really cool and wonderful things – and that goes beyond labels.

Have some stories of your own? Feel free to tell us more in the comments below!

Want to "know" more?

Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.

Never miss another big, odd, funny, or heartbreaking moment again.