The Menaissance: The Death Of The Metrosexual And The Rise Of The Retrosexual

[RichardRLJ]

I found this youtube clip at freemasonnetwork.net, and thought it was particularly appropriate. I have been saying for some time that many men are looking for what Freemasonry offers. What are your thoughts?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AxLaCltp2o&feature=player_embedded

 

[coachn]

4:18 - Freemasonsry is mentioned. I like the statements made in the last 30 seconds a lot.

 

[NickGarner]

I think you are correct, I think that the craft does offer what many men are looking for, and it is up to us to set that example.

 

[JohnnyFlotsam]

So..., "manliness" is all about how you dress (retro suits) and groom (barber shop, not "salon") yourself, and what organization you belong to? Sorry, but that's a superficial load of crap.

Look, my grandfather was an active Mason. SR, Shrine, the whole deal. He was by most measures a fine man, but he was also a racist and a sexist, as were most of his peers. There is nothing automatically "right" just because it was embraced as such by our grandparents, nor is there nothing inherently "wrong" simply because it's embraced by today's generation.

"Hard work and thrift" are "manly" values? Huh? I always thought that they were just "good" values, not something that defined my gender.

 

[Frater Cliff Porter]

The shave and the shop are symbols of traditionalism. I highly recommend Brother Brett McKay's book The Art of Manliness and artofmanliness.com for more information.

He wrote the book with his wife by the way, and sexism and racism do not enter into the equation, but it is a return to being a strong man, a caring head of the family and a traditionalist in regards to reading the classics, dressing like you care, and showing respect for society where the individual has usurped trying to serve a community. Very nice stuff, I'll bet you'll love the book...give it a shot.

 

[Benton]

Brother Porter is right, Brett is usually spot on with his assessments, and is very fair minded and civil. Never has he said anything sexist, racist, or anything of the sort on his blog. One of my favorite blogs to read, personally.

He's also a brother Mason. He mentioned on his website being initiated as an EA. Not sure if he's progressed beyond that yet, but he is a brother.

 

[JTM]

that's great. now we need to keep it going.

 

[peace out]

I think it boils, in large part, down to purpose. What drives us? My generation, generation X, is still reeling from the generation before that rejected "establishment." So without resolve, we settled into ruts believing this or that, without critically thinking. Now, we are waking up and seeing what the world is, and understanding we can change the world.

Though the video points to the superficial parts of manliness, it is an indication of the waking of a generation to grasp onto something bigger than itself.

 

[rhitland]

I love it! I am a Retrosexual. Where do I get the t-shirt?

or should I say neck tie!

 

[coachn]

I love it! I am a Retrosexual. Where do I get the t-shirt?

There are no T-shirts.

You can get a nice fadora however.

 

[rhitland]

I know Brother Coach as soon as I read my post asking for a t-shirt I said, "Self, that is totally not what a Retrosexual would wear" My first reaction was then to edit the post but then I thought that covering my tracks to try and look cool was so "Metrosexual" so I called my self out in attempt to redeem some of my Retrosexaul debonair and asked for the neck tie but you are right I should have opted for the fadora although I am a Cowboy hat man.

by the way we had a great discussion in lodge about this topic. great post brother

 

[peace out]

I know Brother Coach as soon as I read my post asking for a t-shirt I said, "Self, that is totally not what a Retrosexual would wear" My first reaction was then to edit the post but then I thought that covering my tracks to try and look cool was so "Metrosexual" so I called my self out in attempt to redeem some of my Retrosexaul debonair and asked for the neck tie but you are right I should have opted for the fadora although I am a Cowboy hat man.

You're making me laugh, man. I think the proper response should have been...."Let's make the metrosexual wear pansy t-shirts so they are easier to identify."

 

[Dave in Waco]

You're making me laugh, man. I think the proper response should have been...."Let's make the metrosexual wear pansy t-shirts so they are easier to identify."

I think metrosexuals are pretty easy to spot. When a guy looks like he's spent more time grooming that day then there are hours of football on a fall Sunday, that's a sign.

 

[Casey]

I love his blog and his website. Good stuff on there. I switched to a safety razor and buy my own blades and soaps now to give myself a nice hot shave. It works much better than the marketed retail razors. He did a great article on shaving a while back. One thing I love about his site is it teaches good stuff. I am not necessarily in the same boat as alot of guys are, but I know somewhat what they deal with. I lost my grandfather and father in my late teens and early 20's. I still had alot of questions I would like to have been able to ask them about. (suits?; different tie knots?; how to properly lay shingles?) stuff that hadn't came up in my life yet. Anyway AoM goes over random stuff like how to properly build a campfire, tie knots, how to properly order a meal on a date, how to weatherproof boots, etc...... tons of good info. I'm sure there are men that are reading those articles that didn't have a good man, much less a mason around to ask questions that they get answered there. My 2cents.

 

[Jamesb]

Been using a straight razor for two years and it's over-board Manly!

 

[mark!]

I really enjoyed the video, will look in to his book and blog for sure. I think it's great. Back in high school, well, 7 years ago, haha, I always ran with the group of guys that were the hunters, self sufficient, out doorsman type. We wore work boots, went fishing every weekend and hutting during the season. Our fathers were mostly all war veterans and had instilled in us pride of hard work, respectfulness and the ability to provide for you and yours. I'm very happy to see this on the rise, and for those "values" that make a man more manly, coming back.

 

[Heirophant]

I really enjoyed that video. VIVA LA MENAISSANCE! Rugged Individualism is what this country is all about. In my opinion, sitcoms like EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND (although funny) really do men an injustice. History tells us that successful men (like F.D.R. & Churchill) back in the day were not only rough and tumble but also inquisitive and intellectual. Nowadays, it's common for multi-faceted men to be labeled as "Unmanly" or "Metrosexual". I'm glad someone finally realised that we've let the media define what it means to be a male for far too long. VIVA LA MENAISSANCE!

 

[Casey]

I've been told before I'm "too direct"; what's wrong with being straight and to the point. Mean what you say, and say what you mean? Sounds like some other people need to see the menaissance to me... LOL

 

[JohnnyFlotsam]

I really enjoyed that video. VIVA LA MENAISSANCE! Rugged Individualism is what this country is all about.

Agree, but I am proud to have known many women who were "rugged individuals"; strong, capable of building their own camp fires, hard working, etc. So suggesting that such things are exclusively "manly" is, in a word, sexist.

 

[Benton]

I don't see that anyone in this thread has suggested that woman can't be strong, capable, hard working, etc. They're just praising it as a virtue for men. No one said women can't/shouldn't have those qualities.

The Blog in question very much celebrates a family man who's respectful of women, faithful to his wife, etc. Many men (myself included) consider holding women in high regard manly.

I just don't think that celebrating a quality in men is automatically sexist towards women. Neither would Brett McKay's wife, I think, since she's a contributor to his site as well. Neither would my girlfriend, who has told me, after reading articles on that website, that she's glad I believe in those similar qualities.