What do you guys think of when you see a metro sexual man? Personally I don't think too much of it. I think that they are just high maintenance. In the reading, The Well-Coiffed Man by Kristen Barber, she described how traditionally metro sexual men have been associated with femininity and homosexuality, but now with they are viewed as objects of signalized object destabilizing gender dichotomies. This beauty culture not only relates to gender but is tied with race, class, gender, sexuality and age.
For women, it is more than just about beauty it is about grooming the body in a way that reflects a certain social status. For men, it is about embodying a class based masculinity. Not all men are able to indulge in the beauty culture. Only those with enough disposable income are able to afford the higher prices of a salon.
They create a distinction between themselves and the average working class men, while still being able to distance themselves from the feminine character. To observe this they used a case study held at Shear Style to see how the men felt about their participation in the beauty culture.
It was interesting to see that the men saw the salon as very different from the barbershop, while still being able to maintain their masculinity. Their motivation lied in being pampered, building personal relationships with their stylists, and getting a "stylish, white professional-class embodiment". I could not help but think that this is not so different for females. I know that in my salon, I have one lady in particular that I only go to, no only because she is good but because I have built a bond with her. I Like to have updated haircuts and styles and I definitely love relaxing and getting my head massaged. This goes to show that, at least in the beauty works culture men and women don't fit the dichotomous gender role. It seems like we both fit in the grey area, liking a lot of the same things. Based on your experiences in the salon, if you have been there, do you feel that they closely relate to the opinions of those who went to Shear Style? How about those who have seen metro sexual men or know one, what do you feel they are like, feminine or just high maintenance?
The term "metrosexual" isn't real. Its only purpose is to reaffirm the masculinity and heterosexuality of men who are insecure. This is why gender is so problematic. Being pampered shouldn't make someone more or less of a man or more or less of a woman. Everyone should have the opportunity to feel good about themselves in whatever way they find necessary.
ReplyDeleteStyle is most certainly gendered, to the point where society has coined a term for the type of man who would want to dress well or groom themselves. I don't think "metrosexuals" are high maintenance or feminine. Grooming is more than just dressing to impress, it's about feeling good and treating yourself. Personally, I don't indulge in grooming and beauty maintenance as often as others, simply because I don't have the time or money, but if a man or woman wants to get a facial or a manicure - go ahead and treat yourself!
ReplyDeleteMen who dress well and groom themselves are absolutely not feminine, nor are they high maintenance. The services offered for women to take care of themselves have mainly been marketed to females, which is why we may consider it odd, or "metro," for a man to utilize these things. I also agree with Shazzy Mac in their statement of metrosexuality. Homosexuality is the love of a person of the same sex, heterosexuality is the opposite. What kind of love is metro? A love of self-image? The term is a complete, social construction and has no relation to the portrayal of feminine traits in males.
ReplyDeleteNice comment, @lysspo. I would also argue that to describe a woman as "high-maintenance" is also a way to insult and disempower a woman, much in the same way as characterizing a woman as a whore, a witch, crazy, and any number of other characterizations.
DeleteAs Shazzy Mac states above, the whole movement of "metrosexuality" is born out of homophobia. The luxury associated with male grooming (from barbershop to spa) has always been a class issue, and if we look back through the fashion and grooming choices of men (and women) over the last few centuries, the distinction has almost always been one of utilitarianism in the poor and stylish excess in the rich.
ReplyDeleteThe modern idea of placating the homophobia in straight men by dubbing their fixation on fashion and grooming "metrosexual" is absurd, and it is a product of (not, as some see it, a response to) the hyper-masculinity expected by society. Reinforcing the gender stereotypes of the femininity of fashion and the masculinity of industry, "metrosexuality" is heterosexism masked in "tolerance."
Even though I do agree that metrosexuality derived out of homophobia, all of the guys I know that are considered to be a metro sexual man are the most straight men I know. I think there are so many variations in society now a days in what used to be believed set notions of gender and masculinity and femininity that giving specific experiences names is the our way of understanding them. How about the name we give to girls who likes sports or don't wear skirts and dresses: "tomb boy." All these names we are putting on different types of people is society's way of reacting to the numerous amounts of people who are destabilizing the "traditional gender dichotomies" (Barber 176).
ReplyDeleteI believe in the idea that the term "metro-sexual" is socially constructed. I think that what society categorizes a "metro-sexual" as is based on feminine beauty procedures. Before I read "The Well Coiffed Man," I noticed this a lot when I went to get my nails done. Nail salons are relaxed environments where women go to get pampered and groomed. However, it is more common now for men to get manicures. I've noticed the mood change when a man comes into the salon. Suddenly women tense up and the reaction on their face changes from relaxed to perplexed and annoyed. Has anyone had a similar experience?
ReplyDeleteI've been in a salon when a man came in looking for a manicure. The tone definitely shifted. It probably didn't help that he was rude to the staff, but I think the women there kind of saw it as in "intrusion" on their space.
DeleteI previously worked in an all male salon . It was on the lower eastside and a mens haircut started at $67. Some of the packages included manicures and shoe shining and other such things that many guys would only consider women doing. Yet majority of these men who came in were straight married men who enjoyed pampering just as much as women but felt more comfortable knowing it was a male salon. The salon also included free alcoholic drinks such as whiskey and beer and although some women salons include wine many do not carry drinks like this. Its interesting to see how a women salon and male salon are run.
ReplyDeleteI do not really classify people as anything just by simply seeing them or meeting them, especially as "metrosexual". I have seen many men receiving pedicures and manicure services in the seat right next to me, and I find it to be pretty normal at this point, and I do have to say that they are bending the gender dichotomy now. I agree that these men may have disposable income and whatnot, and they may do it to feel good about themselves and for their public appearance...However, I have NEVER seen a woman go into a barber shop, ever. If I went into a barber shop, would they even allow me to sit in the seat and get a haircut?
ReplyDeleteI found the contrast between this reading and the one about entrepreneurship interesting. The women interviewed in that article saw their services as a means to help other women get ahead, they're providing services to other women so they look "professional" when they go out in the world. The men in this reading are able to seek beauty services because they are already successful, and their ability to go to a salon is just another status symbol. Even though they go to the same salon as women, they have to maintain their privileged status as men, the "default," by insulting the female clientele("housewives, bimbos")in a female oriented space. They also have to maintain their position as "elite": One interviewee states that a man who chooses to get a $10 dollar haircut has his "priorities" wrong. To these men it isn't just a fancy haircut they are getting, it's a statement about who they are and how they feel they should be perceived.
ReplyDeleteI to indulge in a bit of pampering occasionally. At first these pampering services such as manicures, pedicures where just suggestions from my wife. With enough encouragement for her i decided to try it. i have to admit i enjoyed it. One funny story is when i first started going with my wife she had arrived earlier to the salon. when i arrived there was only one person available to provide me with my manicure and pedicure. when the manager shouted for the person in back it just so happened to be a another man. this reminded me of the part of the reading were alexander states "comparatively, the heterosocial interactions the men have with their women salon stylists allow the men to access paid touch without their presumed heterosexuality falling under suspicion". that was not the case for me. i went through with the service regardless of my initial feelings in order not to offend the stylist, but towards the end i realized that this has noting to do with sexual orientation, if a person is good at their job why should i care that they're a specific gender? that was years ago now I don't even have to have my wife with me when i go. i even encourage male friends to do it also. i don't see the connection between femininity and something i see to be apart of personal hygiene.
ReplyDeleteAs I already noted in class, very nice comments, all of you.
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