Six-Pack Abs, Fake Tans Or Sandpaper Hands
The first and only time I saw a Morgan Spurlock documentary, it was Supersize Me! The film is about how evil McDonald's is. Well, propoganda is completely lost on me and so my friend and I left the theater and decided that we wanted some fast food french fries. In fact, I had never really eaten fast food until after watching that movie when I learned about the joys of french fries, a junior bacon cheeseburger and the rest.
The lefty documentarian is out with a new one --Mansome -- asking whether men are more vain in 2012 than any point previously in history:
“We’ve created this society where what you project externally matters, almost more than anything else,” says Spurlock after a screening of “Mansome” in New York last month. The film opens in Boston and select cities on Friday. “To say it doesn’t matter how a man looks anymore is untrue.”
Spurlock, best known for his gut-churning documentary “Super Size Me,” follows a diverse group of men in “Mansome,” including a champion beard grower, a pro wrestler who regularly wages war with his bounty of body hair, and a barber who specializes in creating custom toupees. Between these vignettes, there’s commentary from actors Jason Bateman and Will Arnett, debating what it means to be a man (as they are pampered with luxe spa treatments). Experts also weigh in.
The underlying message is that there is a growing obsession with appearance among men from all walks of life.
“I think male vanity has lived in many different forms,” says Ben Silverman, an executive producer of the film. “But it may be entering its most superficial era ever. It was once tied with Darwinist elements such as procreating. Now it’s about six-pack abs and fake tans.”
OK, I have a question. If men are more vain now than at any point previously in history, why do they tend to look so unkempt? Why are so many grown men wearing T-shirts with sayings on them? What's up with the pants hanging low? Or skinny jeans? Also, memo to Silverman: the six-pack abs and fake tans are likely also about procreating or at least practicing toward same.
On the other hand, the documentary shows that spending on male grooming products and services is way up. I'll fess up that when I want to do something nice for my husband, I get him some nice lotions and creams (I have noticed that many men like things that make their skin tingle, such as peppermint soaps. Someone needs to explain this to me.). I went out of my way to visit my favorite Cobble Hill-Brooklyn toiletries shop this past weekend before heading home. Their selection of items marketed to males was way up.
So what is this about? And isn't manliness still represented best by sandpaper hands?
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Comments:
Re: Six-Pack Abs, Fake Tans Or Sandpaper Hands
If men are more vain now than ever before (a doubtful proposition, at best), it might have to do with the example set by the current President of the United States, a man whose self-regard is legendary.
Aug '10
Re: Six-Pack Abs, Fake Tans Or Sandpaper Hands
More vain than 18th century aristocrats with their silks, their face makeup, and their powdered wigs?
Fashion is a function of wealth. If fashion becomes more widespread, that is surely an indicator that wealth is more widespread, which can only be a good thing.
Fashion only becomes a vice once it is funded by debt. It was those same 18th century aristocrats who bankrupted France, for example.
If one can afford expensive hair products, tailored suits, and an elite gym membership, go for it.
If one CANNOT afford expensive hair products, tailored suits, and an elite gym membership, then use Prell, get clothes from your local thrift store, and jog around the park a few times.
Just don't put any of it on your credit card.
Edited on May 17, 2012 at 11:05pmApr '11
Re: Six-Pack Abs, Fake Tans Or Sandpaper Hands
The other day my husband came downstairs wearing an old golf shirt. Like it? he asked, it's over 15 years old.
It would be a big turnoff to me if he suddenly started following designer trends.
Dec '10
Re: Six-Pack Abs, Fake Tans Or Sandpaper Hands
I'm wearing a t-shirt from this place with their logo, "Can't get it up? Give us a call!"
Aug '10
Re: Six-Pack Abs, Fake Tans Or Sandpaper Hands
I love designing my own t-shirts via CafePress.com.
In fact, I'm wearing this one right now!
Jul '11
Re: Six-Pack Abs, Fake Tans Or Sandpaper Hands
I wear jeans everyday to work. I also shave only every five to seven days. Showering on the weekends can sometimes be optional. I tell my wife I'm so naturally pretty I have to do these things to keep her from completely worshipping me and losing herself.
Jan '11
Re: Six-Pack Abs, Fake Tans Or Sandpaper Hands
I think the hat says it all.
Jul '11
Re: Six-Pack Abs, Fake Tans Or Sandpaper Hands
Wranglers by the way. Not " distressed" designer garbage.
Edited on May 17, 2012 at 4:28pmDec '10
Re: Six-Pack Abs, Fake Tans Or Sandpaper Hands
The last two days at the gym there was a man (boy?) that I think plucked his eyebrows. They were perfectly shaped and tapered to a very precise point. Every movement was more feminine than any of the women in the place. The guy was either very, very gay or completely overcome by modern culture. I can only imagine what John Wayne would think about people like this.
Jun '10
Re: Six-Pack Abs, Fake Tans Or Sandpaper Hands
Usually, the part of the body that needs the most work is between the ears.
May '10
Re: Six-Pack Abs, Fake Tans Or Sandpaper Hands
I blame the Jews. Oops, sorry, force of habit. I blame the gays (there, that's better). All this manscaping and bodysculpting never used to happen, as I recall, and I'm a tender lad of 40. Except in weird fringe cult things like bodybuilding, which grosses most people out and caused the oil shock of the late 70s.
Guys dress in a slovenly manner in large part to show off their abs (what are abs, anyway? Do I have abs? Should I get some?). Guys really aren't supposed to look good naked. That's the province of wimmens. Guys are supposed to look good in their clothes. This does not require abs. But guys these days go to gyms and check each other out. Like Anthony Weiner. Who was never going to look good with or without abs.
May '12
Re: Six-Pack Abs, Fake Tans Or Sandpaper Hands
Misthiocracy
I love designing my own t-shirts via CafePress.com.
In fact, I'm wearing this one right now! · 16 minutes ago
A white/red 3/4 sleeve t-shirt, that is pure greatness. Do you have some Foghat playing Slow Ride in the background?
May '10
Re: Six-Pack Abs, Fake Tans Or Sandpaper Hands
I'm more curious that Mollie never had fast food until after seeing the movie. I thought I was cloistered.
Sep '11
Re: Six-Pack Abs, Fake Tans Or Sandpaper Hands
Lance hasn't commented yet, so I'll chime in on his behalf.
(Ahem)
"Someone has to strike a pose,
And bear the weight of well-tailored clothes,
Each species has a sex that fated,
To be highly celebrated,
And that is why the Lord created...Men!"
("The Creation of Men", from The Scarlet Pimpernel, words and music by Frank Wildhorn.)
May '12
Re: Six-Pack Abs, Fake Tans Or Sandpaper Hands
On a serious note. I don't know if men are more vain as much we are starting to pay attention later in life (35+). A lot more of us are single/divorced much later.
May '11
Re: Six-Pack Abs, Fake Tans Or Sandpaper Hands
I get up and shower and shave EVERY morning. I find the unkempt look, 3 day beards, trashy clothes (but they're so comfortable), etc. to be an indication that a person doesn't care about the small things. To me, that kind of person is a question mark when it comes to dealing with him. It brings to mind the expression: "An untidy desk indicates an untidy mind." Same thing applies to appearance.
Jul '11
Re: Six-Pack Abs, Fake Tans Or Sandpaper Hands
"Holy geez, look at the butt on that". Jeff Daniels when seeing some pretty gal and her man in Aspen."Yeah, he must work out". Jim Carey
Aug '10
Re: Six-Pack Abs, Fake Tans Or Sandpaper Hands
BrentB67
Misthiocracy
I love designing my own t-shirts via CafePress.com.
In fact, I'm wearing this one right now!
A white/red 3/4 sleeve t-shirt, that is pure greatness. Do you have some Foghat playing Slow Ride in the background?
I do now!
;-)
Apr '11
Re: Six-Pack Abs, Fake Tans Or Sandpaper Hands
I'm an Italian male and therefore don't understand all the hubub. We've been incredibly vain and have had a very unhealthy preoccupation with "what you project externally matters, almost more than anything else" in my neck of the woods since Julius Caesar famously combed his hair forward lest he show the tiniest bald spot!
Mar '11
Re: Six-Pack Abs, Fake Tans Or Sandpaper Hands
This is absolutely happening. It is driven by acceptance of open homsexuality and a blending of the gender roles.
I view male vanity the same way I view sin: everyone has it, but a real man knows better than to flaunt his character flaws in public.