Redditor schright_dwute wanted to start compiling a list of what adventures we ALL can partake in gender fluidly post-Covid by asking:
"Males of Reddit, what is something you like that is generally considered feminine or 'for girls' only?"During our adolescent years my friend Jackie would always want to play with my GI Joes; mainly because she thought soldiers were handsome and one day planned to marry one. As do we all. She would give me her barbies and then we would have a lovely tea. Consistently her parents would come across us and scold us for swapping and have us swap back. Our friends also thought it was odd during playtime.
This would make Jackie incensed. She wanted to play with the soldiers. (So did I but for different reasons) So when she wouldn't get her way, she would behead all of the dolls and toss their bodies out her third-story bedroom window. I myself was never a doll person either way. But I appreciated her drama. In this day and age, men have much calmer reactions to wanting to participate in things that are designated "feminine." And they are discovering a whole new world.
Bring it in bro
"Hugging your friends could be nice."
checksbio
"I feel this. I spent years being really insecure and would not initiate a hug, and when I did hug it would be really awkward. I'm over that now, but now we're in a pandemic so... sucks to be me?"
Obsidian_Veil
GiphyDance Away
"Dancing ballet. I was a dancer for years, mostly hip hop and acrobatic before I tried ballet. Wish I would have gotten into it sooner. I didn't start until I was 23. Both yoga and ballet really help with body control. Which to me, means reducing the risk of injury from other physical activities. I did it for about 8 years. I noticed an improvement in my other forms of dance pretty quickly. I'll probably go back to dancing next year."
Ghostmerc86
You Don't Bring Me Flowers...
"I've never understood why the only pretty, feminine delicate things men were supposed to like were women. Makes no sense. I'm not supposed to like flowers, but I'm supposed to like a woman that's pretty like a flower? What kind of sense does that make?"
TheKlic
"It is really silly when you think about it. The people who came up with that logic are the same people who think a little boy playing with a Barbie will make him gay. Surely the best way to instill straightness in little Johnny is to only let him play with muscular G.I. Joes and nearly naked pro-wrestling action figures. That will somehow teach him to like girls."
Good hygiene is an imperative aspect of life. Who doesn't like a luxurious shower and a clean body? And aren't we all attracted and drawn to people who smell good? For years society has complimented women on their fruity or fresh hair scent, or the soothing smell of a body oil or shower gel. And all the while men just had industrial soaps. Well look out world the boys have discovered the eucalyptus. And they are never going back.
No Shame
"Currently using my housemates 'glitter unicorn' shower foam and I unashamedly love the way it makes me smell every day."
Patt_Morrat90
GiphyScent of a...
"I love lavender, vanilla, and baby powder scented things. I accidentally bought a baby powder version of my normal deodorant and loved it. I can't seem to find it anywhere these days though. It's funny to me how some scents are considered feminine."
BeingMrSmite
"mandarin orange and mango"Â
"I accidentally bought women's shower gel once and now use nothing else. It just smells so much better."
TurdsforNipples
"I also like that the name on the bottle usually implies what the scent is. The "mandarin orange and mango" scent actually smells like that, while I'm still unsure what XTREME WOLF RUSH smells like, unless it's the toilet at a furry con after a wave of e. Coli."
Bounty1Berry
Coochie-Coo
"I shave my face with this stuff called 'Coochie Cream.' It's a brand of shave butter that, according to my ex-girlfriend, is very popular amongst strippers. I have to shave every other day and I swear by the stuff."
caveat_emptor817
"I used that back when I was shaving my head, it works amazingly."
ZombeeJezus
And sometimes it's the simple pleasures in life. Why is it not masculine to sit and enjoy a nice chamomile tea? Who decided what makes a man less a man by the way he derives rapture. Everyone needs a safe space and maybe when they're there they want to read a book or bedazzle a towel. Don't judge.
Everyone needs blankets...
"Crocheting. It's very relaxing and you create useful things. But almost every pattern I find is some kind of female clothing or accessory. There are pet toys but those are the only exceptions. Have you heard of The Crochet Dude?"
000003eyes
"Also afghans/blankets are a good way to go. They take quite a bit of time to make but are easy to make more masculine or unisex. Also amigurumi is pretty cool. I suppose stuffed critters can be considered "girly," but there is such a wide variety that it would be worth checking out if you haven't already!"
bookwyrmrose
Fan the Flames...
"I knew a (really wonderful) dude who told me he wanted to start buying candles because he'd recently talked himself into buying plants and liked how much they spruced up his apartment. It struck me as so wild that buying plants and candles was like... not a thing he considered doing because it was very aesthetic/ambience-focused and he'd broadly heard that was 'feminine.' As a woman, there's definitely some stuff you don't think of as feminine until you talk to a man who's been told otherwise."
mediocretrooper
My Locks
"I'm a guy with hair down to the bottom of my shoulder blades. One evening, I was hanging out with a bunch of friends when one of them decided she wanted to braid my hair. Oh my God did it feel amazing! I love the feeling of someone else playing with my hair."
MasteringTheFlames
GiphyThanks Babe
"My wife bought me flowers today. I love it."
Etlas
"My wife has done this for me, and our son, multiple times. I like to hang and dry them after a few days, and keep them on display around the house."
exandnotex
Smells
"Women's deodorant. My pits smell like cucumber and lime. Strong enough for a man but made for a woman."
FilledwithTegridy
Oh man, women's shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel is the S**T. My hair has never felt sooo good since I started using ladies' shampoo and conditioner. And as for the shower gels. I smell like a goddamn unicorn and I freaking love it. Never going back to male shower products."
Selphia2000
down the hatch
"Fruity cocktails."
Tummy_banana69
"I went to the Tower of Americas in San Antonio for dinner with my gf and the waitress asked if we were old enough to drink. We told her that we wish and she said she could make the drinks without the alcohol. I immediately asked for a daiquiri and I noticed a guy at a nearby table looked at us with a confused look on his face. Yes I know it's just a strawberry smoothie at that point but f**k off it tasted great!"
ghostboy2015
Soft & Warm
"We just bought a house with a jacuzzi tub, and my husband uses it more than me. Bubbles too. He absolutely loves it."
commoncheesecake
bubble bath GIF by MuchGiphyBagged
"I love to grocery shop (but not clothes shop), I love to search the circulars for the best deals, get my coupons and grocery lists ready, and I especially love to collect store branded shopping bags. I have quite the collection, and I love having my groceries bagged in them, it's almost a sense of pride that I shopped in this store for food. With grocery shopping I too love to cook and menu plan (although that's getting to become more of a gender neutral thing anymore)."
llcucf80
Less Callous
"Hand cream. Whenever there’s some in a bathroom I’m definitely going for that. Makes for soft awesome-smelling hands and finger joints that don’t look like tree bark."
baldbychoice
"soft"
"Don't know if this counts but I heard from somewhere that professional male fighters will often take up a soft hobby to compliment/counterweight all the hardcore rigor/mantra that is with fighting and war. My friend from middle school would take up Ballroom Dancing on his off days when he didn't have MMA practice."
JackTheJackerJacket
“can I get your number?”
"Getting asked out."
blithetorrent
"I relate to this. I’ve been asked for my number from women more times that I’ve asked for their numbers. I can count on one hand how many times I’ve said 'Can I get your number?' Usually they offer it to me or ask me for mines first. Even in high school I had one girl directly ask me to prom while we were in class, and another girl ask her friends to ask me to prom for her lol. I didn’t end up going to prom at all though because I didn’t want to."
itsSomethingCool
Dads
"Raising my kids. I have the bulk of the home duties while my wife works full time. There’s still some stigma against stay at home dads. I don’t understand why I shouldn’t be active in raising them. I was active in making them!"
Conchobar8
"Right there with ya. My business went under and I asked my wife if it’s cool if for a while if I just do this, and she’s down. I only have one to deal with but we go exploring different places every day! Otherwise she’d be at MIL’s watching TV all day long and not getting her naps."
halfarian
Bedtime Pals
"I sleep with stuffed animals. I’m a grown man. I do not care."
TheHunterZolomon
Salesforce Happy Dance GIF by AppExchangeGiphyIt's a new world in the realm of gender boundaries... finally. I myself have never cared about a gender boundary. As I child, I loved a good, sassy high heel. And I didn't care who new it. And I never understood why anyone would. I've just grown out of them, Lord they are rough on concrete. But if a buff, Texas born construction worker wants to blow off some steam in a heightened Jimmy Choo while sipping prosecco with his boys at a rodeo bar. Then so be it. If he's smiling while doing it, he earned it.
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Never miss another big, odd, funny, or heartbreaking moment again.
But Redditor u/CanWhip gave men a chance to talk about the last time they got so emotional that they cried. Men responded with stories of moments when they couldn't stop themselves from shedding tears of joy, sadness, relief, or just because they needed a good cry.
10. Saying goodbye to his kids was tough
Giphy"My marriage was on the verge of collapse when my ex-wife got a job offer in another state. She had been unemployed for some time so she had to take the job. We decided I should stay behind since I had a steady job and divorce was inevitable. My wife moved out and the kids stayed with me until she got a home in her new city. Taking my kids to the airport and putting them on a plane to move away from me was soul crushing. I held it together until they boarded. Once they got on the plane I lost it.
My kids only lasted a few months with mom before packing up and moving back to live with me."
9. This very supportive son
"Sunday. Wife has sudden onset of insomnia and anxiety since christmas which has started to trigger panic attacks. She had one while i was at work and called me. When I was free to call back my son answered the phone. I was sobbing listening to my 6 year old talk her through the breathing exercises we had practised. That kid gets ice cream for life, no questions asked. And I might go cry again."
8. A terrible end to an engagementÂ
"My ex fiance left me after I spent 9 days in the hospital battling duel pnuemonia and almost dying."
7. I almost lost it reading this
"I was tucking in my 7 year old daughter a couple of months ago, and she told me that she was worried about me dying before her (i'm only 42 and healthy). So I had a conversation about how old I am likely to live and that she will be an adult when I die. Then she said 'but when you do die will you help me, because I need you so much.' and I lost it"
6. A heartbreaking wake upÂ
"Woke up at 4am after dreaming my dad told me he has days to live. Then realised he is actually dead."
5. When your friends each milestones
"A few weeks ago, when one of my best friends told me he's going to be a dad.
I can go for months and months without shedding a single tear, but these news got me really emotional, in the best sense of the word.
This has been an eye-opening experience for me, as I had no idea I was capable of feeling such things."
4. Self-improvement is necessary
"Month ago.
Was yelling at my kids because they were misbehaving and I put them to bed early.
Broke down afterwards and cried on the stairs. Knew I didn't have to yell as much and said some unnecessary things.
Wife talked with me on the stairs and it turned into a turning point in my life and I'm doing much better with the discipline."
3. A first time parent
Giphy"My daughter was born the start of last year. Think I must have cried for a solid hour."
2. The best possible outcome
"About 5 minutes ago.
One of my nephews is currently in surgery for something his Drs have never seen in a kid his age before. I just got news from my sister that best case scenario has happened, and they were able to take care of things - he should be out of the OR in half the time as was expected.
So, yeah. Crying in relief at my desk at work. Going up to see him in a couple days. It's hard to explain what it means to have kids like him in your life."
1. Sometimes, we need a moment to cry
"Took a small getaway trip, about 8 hour drive few weeks back due to stress. I played all of the songs I shouldnt play on the drive up and let myself unwind in the car and get all of that stuff out, job stress, feelings toward my ex, the whole gammit.
Did me well."
It can get scary.
My bf and his friends play video games that make them angry and upset more often than not, but they insist they love them and are their favorite games.
It's a stress release. Men are generally taught to not show emotions and be tough. Games are a way to let those bottled up feelings out after a long day of being a rock.
We just want to shoot some motherf*ckers.
The real questions.
GiphyWhen a girl sits in your lap what does it feel like, and is there a right way and wrong way to do it?
Face: Chill. This is cool, havin' a good time.
Brain: AAAAHHHHH! She's sitting on my lap! WHERE DO I PUT MY HANDS!
It gets tangled?
Does having a d*ck feel uncomfortable when you wear pants? I feel like it would stick to your thigh and I think I wouldn't like that.
Not really, boxer briefs do a reasonably good job of keeping it contained. It's actually more uncomfortable how sometimes it likes to get tangled up in the boxers I sleep in.
He's just nervous.
I know this guy who I think likes me. He's usually really reserved around me but every once in awhile he'll just come up to me, totally confident but next minute he's shy again. Why?
If he does like you, he's probably nervous. He's getting moments of courage that don't last forever. He might be looking for a clear 'go for it' signal. So if you're interested, try approaching him during a shy moment. You making the move might be the sign he needs.
5-in-1?????
GiphyWhat's the deal with your 2-in-1 shampoos? My boyfriend has a 5-in-1 and I don't understand how it can wash everything!
Good to know.
What does it feel like to stick your d*ck in something? What's a comparable feeling?
Imagine if your finger had about 10,000x the nerve endings, but just at the last knuckle and fingernails aren't a thing. That's somewhat equivalent. Now imagine that feeling attached to your groin and the feeling radiating deep to your core.
Ejaculation has the same heart stopping sensation as a good sneeze, as well as a evacuating feeling like a good poop or like when you finally pee after holding it for a long time. But again, all this radiating outward from your core in the direction of and through this groin appendage, almost convulsing at times. Your whole body gets hot, and there's a brief moment almost like passing out, then reality comes flooding back in as you catch your breath and recover.
That's a valid question.
Have you ever had to wait in line for the bathroom?
[deleted]
At tech conferences, all the time. There's always a bit of a joke about the tables being turned from the usual concert / sporting event type situation, because the ~10% of attendees who are women have no wait at all.
This is cute.
GiphyHow do you tell if a guy likes you and how do I get a guy to like me?
Don't be afraid to make the first move. Even if you're anxious, keep in mind that asking a guy out is a massive ego boost for him. Not in a bad way, more like "this is the most positive thing to happen to me in years" kind of way. And a guy will remember you being into him for years afterwards. Hell, I got a compliment from a girl I'd never spoken to years ago in high school and it still makes me feel better about myself.
That's a little creepy.
Is turning simple things, like a towel roll or a pool noodle, into a pretend gun an instinct for you lot?
If it's gun shaped and I'm with my buddies, absolutely.
I wish women's clothes had bigger pockets....
What is it like to have large jean pockets?
We can put anything in it from switches to wallets, you name we can put it in our pockets.
Too real.
GiphyWhen I text multiple questions to a guy, they only seem to answer one question and ignore the rest. For example:
me: hey did you still wanna see that movie later tonight?
me: also, are we still working out at 2 tomorrow?
guy: yeah I'm still good for tomorrow at 2
(no response to the first question)
me (15 minutes later): so... what about the movie?
guy: yeah we're still good for tonight
Like, why not answer both questions???
I was wondering this too...
Like how do d*cks work? Can you accidentally sit on it? How do you place it?
You don't really place it anywhere. You just sit down and it goes wherever and you don't really think about it
It's possible to sit on your balls but it rarely happens and if it does then it hurts for a bit but you stand up instantly and sit back down but the pain is still there for a bit.
Clean up after yourself!
I totally get that they can't always control their pee stream but half the time they don't clean it up. Why?
It disgusts me when I go into a bathroom stall and see someone didn't clean up after themselves. Like - why do I have to clean up your mess? I will always clean up after myself.
Bro Code is a real thing?
GiphyWhat are some of the rules of bro code?
I once knew a guy was interested in me and several of his friends sh*t talked him to me... saying they weren't sure if he's clean since he doesn't use condoms, saying I deserve better than him, he's just a f*ckboy and I don't want to be another number... obviously I appreciate that but did they break bro code in doing so?
I guess? I think this falls under the more general rule that a bro must not, under any circumstance, interfere with or interrupt another bro as he is attempting to score, nor otherwise damage his chance of doing so.
As far as other rules of the Bro Code, the two most important are: 1) never take a urinal directly next to an already occupied one unless there is no other choice, and 2) greeting someone as you walk by is to be done, after making eye contact, by way of a single nod - nod down for a stranger, nod up for a bro.
My fiancé is 11 years older than me so I feel this.
What's your deal with age gaps? Is it just a joke, or would you guys actually go for anyone 18 and up, regardless of your own age. No hate, just curious.
If she's cool - we're certainly cool with it (legal).
Young woman who hasn't grown bitter or jaded with life. Better yet when they have opted out of their own gen since many just see it as a dead end. You can't have a future with a guy who sees a dinner date as a fast food visit. Too busy playing games than paying attention to her. The final nail is not wanting to be mature.
And it's beyond just sex for men. That's a poor reasoning used so often. It's vitality - her energy; he will do things with her that he would never do with someone his own age. A great joy in that.
As said, 'you're only as old as you feel' and with a younger woman you feel... opportunities.
If both are happy, the age gap pointless. She wants an established man, not a boy. And he wants her spirit. A fair and merry trade.
Beauty regimes, arts and crafts, and being in touch with your feelings should have never been given the label of being "for women." Anything can be enjoyable for anyone, no matter their gender. Men no longer have to fear being called names for enjoying "feminine" things and activities.
Redditor u/DaMain-Man asked men,
"What's something you enjoy thats considered 'unmasculine'?"
It started a wholesome conversation between men about their favorite products and activities that don't fit into the "manly" category.
Sara Bareilles has some big fans out there
"Sara Bareilles songs."
"IMO one of the most underrated singers."
Wine, cats, and candles
"I have more than once found myself in Walmart just to buy wine, cat food, and candles. I like wine, I love my cat, and I like it when my house smells good."
Sounds like a fun time
"I'm in a burlesque troupe and it's sexy and awesome but there aren't many men in the scene"
It's the best way to drink coffee
Giphy"Big giant sugary fake coffees that are more like milkshakes"
*plays the soundtrack for 'Wicked'*
"I enjoy some musicals. I don't lie about this fact but I also only listen to them when I'm alone."
Pink is just a color
"I really like to wear pink colored clothes, especially the soft pink ones."
"Some other guys find it 'unmasculine' or 'weird'
"It's just a color dude, chill"
A squeaky voice helps animals understand you
"Whenever I interact with a pet (dog/cat) my voice immediately goes from 20 year old adult male to 5 year old little girl excited about her Christmas presents and I start conversing (often very loudly) with them as if they understand me."
He caught K-Pop fever
"I listen to EXO a lot. I hide it very well. I dont like them because they dance and show their abs i just like the music their voices and their rythym."
Nothing like a comfy toilet seat
"A sit down piss."
"Sometimes I just treat myself to a sit down piss, but there is this idea that men should only ever piss while standing up."
"Nah!"
"I'm tired I've had a long day and I have a full bladder."
User Deleted
Dealing with people is stressful
"I let my wife fight my battles on the phone with insurance companies, medical billers, vendors, banks, credit cards, whatever. She does it for work as a biller herself and she relishes going into combat with those people."
We all have skin, it's best to take care of it!
Giphy"Looking after my skin, my favourite part of the day is cleaning my face- exfoliating and then moisturising."
These guys aren't afraid to get emotional
"Crying when I'm sad."
"I cry during movies for some reason. Happy cries, sad cries, I just get emotional sometimes you know?"
Brocheting > crocheting
"It's been a while, but I used to really like to crochet."
"You get to call it brochet"
That's a great scent actually
"My girlfriend regularly buys me a women's shower gel called 'snow fairy', a pink product that smells amazing. She knows it's my guilty pleasure and I don't care that I'm a tall, burly guy in the army."
"Nobody messes with my snow fairy."
He discovered the secret to a soft beard
"I don't know exactly what it is but my SO has bath stuff that makes the water kind of milky and smooth. I used it once. Would definitely use it again if the mood struck. Made my beard crazy soft, like a super conditioner."
Why have beer when you can have fruity deliciousness?
"Fancy, 'girly' cocktail drinks. Tastes amazing."
Cooking is one of the more important skills
"It's not considered feminine anymore but was for a long time... cooking!
I love cooking, basically anything to experiment with new foods."
Who isn't weak for puppies and kitties?
Giphy"Cats. Cats are the greatest things in the world because they're like tiny, stupid people."
"I love puppies!"
He's living the ideal life
"I cut down trees, I eat my lunch
I go to the lavatory
On Wednesdays I go shopping and have buttered scones for tea"
Let people enjoy what they want to enjoy.
Do you have similar experiences to share? Let us know in the comments.