# Is it OK for men to cry in public? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 29, 2003, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-for-men-to-cry-in-public/204398 "2003-09-29T00:58:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![ENugent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ENugent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ENugent)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2003, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-for-men-to-cry-in-public/204398/181 "2003-10-07T20:59:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JuanitaTech \* > **OK, so on a scale of 1 - 10 (ten being super-dooper evil) how evil am I for following this thread for its comedic value?** Whatever it is, I’ll be right there in hell with you **Juanita**. So, I have a girly question (it’s OK, I have girly bits, too). What exactly is “pimp-slapping,” anyway? How does it differ from any other kind of slapping? I rarely “sob like a little girl” in public (I can’t think of any time I’ve done it since I _was_ a little girl), but I do cry on occasion, and I don’t see any problem with a man crying in public, either. ---
**Author:** ![Velma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/85e7bf/32.png) [@Velma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velma)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2003, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-for-men-to-cry-in-public/204398/182 "2003-10-07T21:21:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JuanitaTech \* > \*\*OK, so on a scale of 1 - 10 (ten being super-dooper evil) how evil am I for following this thread for its comedic value? > > \*\* Only about a 5. It’s too funny for it to be evil. I am just waiting for someone to rip his shirt open and start pounding his chest. Take it outside, boys. ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2003, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-for-men-to-cry-in-public/204398/183 "2003-10-07T21:22:56Z")
Familiar with the popular term “bitch-slapped”, ENugent? If not, the more colloquial term of getting the “shit slapped out of you” will suffice. Sam ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2003, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-for-men-to-cry-in-public/204398/184 "2003-10-07T21:32:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Scumpup \* > \*\*But, since I was truthful, others of Loo’s ilk were ready to jump in and claim I am a liar. \*\* I don’t think you’re a liar. I think you’re a wanker. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2003, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-for-men-to-cry-in-public/204398/185 "2003-10-07T21:46:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by A Monkey With a Gun \* > \*\*Neither rain, nor sleet, nor husbands… \*\* Well, I said he was persistent, didn’t I? I really thought for a while I would have to pimp-slap the guy, but I was afraid he would cry and humilate me and all. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2003, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-for-men-to-cry-in-public/204398/186 "2003-10-07T23:10:03Z")
Did I just take crazy pills or something? I don’t know if Scumpup is for real or not but when did physical toughness become something to be mocked? When did playing football and joining the Navy SEALS become cries for help from men overcompensating for low self esteam and “real men” became effeminate sissy boys who watch Oprah and cry at rainbows? Do women really want those type of guys? Or do they want men who act like men? Who the heck is supposed to kill bugs and build endtables for my girlfriend while I’m off bawling in the corner? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2003, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-for-men-to-cry-in-public/204398/187 "2003-10-07T23:26:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by msmith537 \* > \*\*Did I just take crazy pills or something? I don’t know if Scumpup is for real or not but when did physical toughness become something to be mocked? When did playing football and joining the Navy SEALS become cries for help from men overcompensating for low self esteam and “real men” became effeminate sissy boys who watch Oprah and cry at rainbows? > > Do women really want those type of guys? Or do they want men who act like men? Who the heck is supposed to kill bugs and build endtables for my girlfriend while I’m off bawling in the corner? \*\* Oh for fucks sake! like you’re not grossly mischaracterising anyone yourself. ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2003, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-for-men-to-cry-in-public/204398/188 "2003-10-07T23:35:30Z")
> [@](#): > > Do women really want those type of guys? Or do they want men who act like men? Who the heck is supposed to kill bugs and build endtables for my girlfriend while I’m off bawling in the corner? Can’t a man occasionally cry, build houses, squash bugs, cook a fine meal and dress himself with some sort of style without threatening people, having to run around with his chest all puffed out, “pimp slapping” those who stand in his way and generally be a fuckhead? Do you want men who act like complete macho assholes, or men who act like men? Sam ---
**Author:** ![robertliguori](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/46a35a/32.png) [@robertliguori](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robertliguori)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2003, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-for-men-to-cry-in-public/204398/189 "2003-10-07T23:45:50Z")
> [@](#): > > When did playing football and joining the Navy SEALS become cries for help from men overcompensating for low self esteam and “real men” became effeminate sissy boys who watch Oprah and cry at rainbows? When did an inability to deal with one’s emotions that is so profound in nature that the mere sight of a guy crying renders one utterly flabbergasted become a sign of manhood? Use that fucking stoicism you’re so proud of to get over the fact that gasp, a fellow penis-bearer is shedding tears, and get on with things, or maybe even give him some support. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2003, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-for-men-to-cry-in-public/204398/190 "2003-10-07T23:59:49Z")
I’m going to hazard a guess that the idea of there beaing a ‘type’ that ‘women’ want is a supremely dumb one. ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2003, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-for-men-to-cry-in-public/204398/191 "2003-10-08T00:09:19Z")
Being physically tough: good, or at worst morally neutral Pride in using one’s physical toughness for violence: morally wretched Pride in using one’s physical toughness to accomplish a worthy goal, where violence was regretably necessary (e.g. WWII): good The overuse of strawmen (and are they _real_ men, anyway?) in this thread: eyerollworthy. (That’s one word. The accent is on the roll.) ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Kumquat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gary\_Kumquat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Kumquat)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2003, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-for-men-to-cry-in-public/204398/192 "2003-10-08T00:16:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BlackKnight \* > **The overuse of strawmen (and are they _real_ men, anyway?) in this thread: eyerollworthy.** But is it OK for strawmen to cry in public? ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2003, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-for-men-to-cry-in-public/204398/193 "2003-10-08T00:33:15Z")
Paul Chadwick wrote something I aspire to live by- “Blaze through life like a comet undeterred, unafraid and unashamed.” Note the last one. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2003, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-for-men-to-cry-in-public/204398/194 "2003-10-08T00:36:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Gary Kumquat \* > \*\*But is it OK for strawmen to cry in public? \*\* If you ask me, any strawman that cries in public lacks a spine. ---
**Author:** ![Desmostylus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@Desmostylus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desmostylus)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2003, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-for-men-to-cry-in-public/204398/195 "2003-10-08T00:56:35Z")
I would not be just a nuffin’ My head all full of stuffin’ My heart all full of pain… ---
**Author:** ![HelenGawn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@HelenGawn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HelenGawn)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2003, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-for-men-to-cry-in-public/204398/196 "2003-10-08T01:05:05Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Mangetout_ > I’m going to hazard a guess that the idea of there beaing a ‘type’ that ‘women’ want is a supremely dumb one. A guy who gets this is my type. And I believe I saw Emmit Smith cry in public just yesterday. Wanna tell him he’s not a real man? Oh, and I’ll kill my own damn spiders, thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2003, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-for-men-to-cry-in-public/204398/197 "2003-10-08T01:10:17Z")
Just popping in to add that those of you who were trying to irritate or insult me by implying I am homosexual will have to try something else. I’m not homophobic or a religious whackjob, so I don’t find that label insulting. Look for another hot-button, you didn’t find one there…and try not to let your disappointment make you cry. ---
**Author:** ![Gadfly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/aeb1de/32.png) [@Gadfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadfly)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2003, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-for-men-to-cry-in-public/204398/198 "2003-10-08T01:11:01Z")
> [@](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > Originally posted by Gary Kumquat > > But is it OK for strawmen to cry in public? > > If you ask me, any strawman that cries in public lacks a spine. _If only I had a spine…_ Seriously, though, what kind of fucking strawman has a spine anyway? Nazi strawmen? ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2003, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-for-men-to-cry-in-public/204398/199 "2003-10-08T02:18:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Velma \* > \*\*I am just waiting for someone to rip his shirt open and start pounding his chest. \*\* _sigh_ Fine. There, I’ve ripped my shirt open. HAHA, now who’s laughing?!? I mean it, who’s laughing? I-- I-- I’m big boned! It’s a thiroid condition! Someone held a gun to my head and made me eat all those bacon double cheeseburgers! Uh, er, it’s a conspiracy by big breweries! _runs away sobbing like a little girl, only not so girlish and hardly little_ ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2003, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-for-men-to-cry-in-public/204398/200 "2003-10-08T02:23:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Scumpup \* > \*\*Just popping in to add that those of you who were trying to irritate or insult me by implying I am homosexual will have to try something else. I’m not homophobic or a religious whackjob, so I don’t find that label insulting. Look for another hot-button, you didn’t find one there…and try not to let your disappointment make you cry. \*\* OK, let’s try this one, you big he-man you. You’re afraid of tears. Salt water. A simple salty discharge from the eyes of others makes you so afraid that a simple emotion sends you running. Oh, and as to your bragging about how many people you’ve hit – That doesn’t make you a man. It makes you a violent thug. You should be locked up. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-for-men-to-cry-in-public/204398.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-for-men-to-cry-in-public/204398.md?page=11)