Sunday, January 25, 2009

Don't tell anyone your problems. Half the people don't want to hear them, the other half are glad you have them.
Harry
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3 comments:

  1. (A)January 25, 2009 at 7:57 AM

    This quote is from one of the happiest, manliest men I know: my grandfather. But it's always struck me as incredibly sad, this old-school (a man is an island and doesn't have feelings) philosophy.

    I've seen him struggle showing me his weaknesses, though I can tell he opens up to his wife (which I'm guessing in that worldview is acceptable). Can the new man overcome his shell so his feelings don't burn him from the inside out?

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  2. MattJanuary 25, 2009 at 8:58 AM

    The only quote I can think of from my grandfather was related to me by my grandmother. It came from a day-long car trip they took alone, as newlyweds, to visit relatives. The entire trip, there and back, about eight hours, the only thing he said was, "they used to raise chickens there," whilst pointing out the window at a farmhouse.

    It strikes me that this may be the same quote as the one you mention above but spoken with action instead of words. Does a man need words? Can we share our feelings by doing, instead? Maybe the vocalizing of feelings is better left to women. Maybe men should show their feelings with their hands not their mouths?

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  3. (A)January 25, 2009 at 4:16 PM

    Honestly, yes, I do think men need express themselves with words. For their own good and for the good of their relationships. You just can't keep everything inside. Have you seen Mad Men? Don Draper's archetype for this kind of guy. Much as I love his character, I don't want to live like him.

    That being said, men and women definitely communicate differently. And men shouldn't try to be women. You'd end up being Sensitive Ponytail Guy (Tim Robbins) from High Fidelity. And everyone wants to punch that guy in the face.

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