What is Manly?

I was reading something recently about manliness, and it got me thinking. What are the qualities of being 'Manly'? What does it mean? what activities are or are not 'Manly'?

I consider myself a man. My genetics, my physical appearance, and the choices I make in my formation of my identity all support that decision. The gender I perform is male. But is that the same thing?

I don't like sports. I don't like playing them, I don't like watching them. I think fantasy football is just dungeons and dragons for people too chicken to admit they like role playing games. I don't mind sports movies, but only because they only show the best stuff with the most drama.


I don't fish. I don't hunt.

I'm not a gun person. I think guns are cool, but in that way that any eight year old boy thinks guns are cool.

I don't like FPS games. I prefer the ones where I can role play, even a little.

I don't drink, and when I do, it's not beer.

I don't make sexist jokes, I don't look down on women. I try not to oppress anyone, and I try to let the stereotypes that I develop exist with the knowledge that not everyone fits those stereotypes.

I like a strong woman.

I'm submissive by nature.

I like knives and other weapons, but again, because I'm an eight year old boy.

I just went to google and typed in "Manly activities." I found a list of things that all men should be able to do. Among the list of things I CAN do were: change a tire, Build a fire, pitch a camping tent, sharpen a knife, train a dog, paddle a canoe, set up an Xbox, survive a shopping trip,

But then there were the things I can't do: Read a map, change my oil, paint a room, NEVER ask for directions, fix a leaking pipe... pretty much any home repair that doesn't involve changing what wires are plugged in until it works.

Does this mean I'm a nerd? yeah, obviously I am. But am I a 'Manly' nerd?

And, more importantly, do you have to be a man to be Manly? Because I know a lot of women who can do a lot more of the stuff on those lists than I can. And even the shit I CAN do, they do it better.