# Men - what is your problem when it comes to shorts? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 30, 2009, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-what-is-your-problem-when-it-comes-to-shorts/512113 "2009-09-30T16:12:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2009, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-what-is-your-problem-when-it-comes-to-shorts/512113/101 "2009-10-01T17:47:27Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Not to mention that I’ve been running for a year and he hasn’t, and I might know a lot more about running clothes? :rolleyes: Unless you’re training for a marathon, I don’t think it’s going to make that much damn difference what sort of shorts he wears. Really. He’ll be fine. Running Clothes 101: 1. Don’t wear sandals. Or wellington boots. 2. Leave Santa hat at home. 3. If weather indicates overcoat, weather also indicates give running a miss today. 4. Might get sweaty. Try short sleeves and shorts. 5. Oh, yeah, tie no required. There will be an quiz on this Tuesday. Study hard. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2009, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-what-is-your-problem-when-it-comes-to-shorts/512113/102 "2009-10-01T17:50:48Z")
> [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](#): > > You’re certainly allowed to make suggestions. And to say “Well, boyfriend, I think you’re being a little silly by not even trying them.” I guess it’s because I’ve always tried to cultivate enough trust in my relationships that each of us thinks the other is looking out for our best interests and that clothing suggestions are motivated by what we think would look good on the other person, and not a desire to control their lives or make them the object of derision. YMMV, I suppose. There’s nothing wrong with a suggestion. Read the OP. She suggested and that was totally fine. He said no and that’s also totally fine. That’s the end of the story. It’s not like he wants to wear his hockey jersey to a black tie affair. What he wants to wear is _perfectly appropriate_ to the setting. That the OP wants to make out a personal preference like its some kind of gender-based personality flaw, is not an appealing point of view to me. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2009, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-what-is-your-problem-when-it-comes-to-shorts/512113/103 "2009-10-01T17:53:17Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Plus, it was MY MONEY. I don’t get any input? Gift that come with strings and judgment are not the kind of gifts I like to receive. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2009, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-what-is-your-problem-when-it-comes-to-shorts/512113/104 "2009-10-01T18:13:08Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Do you run in South Carolina? Because that’s why I was buying the guy some shorts. I was gonna point out that Rocky ran in sweatpants, but this completely deflated that argument. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2009, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-what-is-your-problem-when-it-comes-to-shorts/512113/105 "2009-10-01T19:06:31Z")
> [@SmellMyWort](#): > > \ Something like [this](http://www.target.com/C9-by-Champion-Running-Short/dp/B001QTC2S2/ref=br_1_3?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&searchView=grid5&searchNodeID=10825231&node=10825231&searchRank=salesrank&searchPage=1&searchSize=30&id=C9%20by%20Champion%20Running%20Short). \ That was the best model they could find for those shorts? His legs actually made me giggle out loud. ---
**Author:** ![Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimmy_Gibbler)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2009, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-what-is-your-problem-when-it-comes-to-shorts/512113/106 "2009-10-01T19:25:41Z")
I think she should pitch something like [this](http://store.americanapparel.net/1401.html?cid=175#i). Be sure to check out the reviews. ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/848f3c/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_Dunlop)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2009, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-what-is-your-problem-when-it-comes-to-shorts/512113/107 "2009-10-01T19:50:44Z")
> [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](#): > > I think she should pitch something like [this](http://store.americanapparel.net/1401.html?cid=175#i). Be sure to check out the reviews. But would pink or baby blue be best? I’m really tempted to write another review that says “the profile of my penis shows right through” but as a favorable feature of the shorts. It’s just a hilarious thing to say. ---
**Author:** ![firstname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7ab992/32.png) [@firstname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/firstname)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-what-is-your-problem-when-it-comes-to-shorts/512113/108 "2009-10-02T05:07:18Z")
Give the guy a break, let him wear whatever shorts he wants. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-what-is-your-problem-when-it-comes-to-shorts/512113/109 "2009-10-02T06:08:36Z")
> [@Fuzzy\_Dunlop](#): > > There are so many important things to talk about that there’s no time for something as insignificant as shorts? Being in a relationship with you sounds unremittingly dour. Actually it’s not so trivial at that, considering that guys are so strongly pressured into one choice, i.e. long and baggy. I’ve lost count of how many of these shorts discussions there have been on this message board. Long and baggy might be fine in spring or fall, but in August when it’s 90 degrees out, come on. Women wear anything from capris through Bermudas to short shorts and nobody cares, except maybe to notice their legs. They vary the length of their shorts according to the temperature. But if a guy goes around in short shorts, he might be forced to surrender his man card. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-what-is-your-problem-when-it-comes-to-shorts/512113/110 "2009-10-02T06:34:15Z")
I don’t get it. Why would you want your guy to look good? The only reason guys like him dress up is to look good for women. If he starts trying to show off those “nice legs”…well, I’d get packing, cause you’re about to be dumped As for the actual point of this thread: meh. I question why it matters so much to the OP. I happen to agree with the guy. Guys legs look bad in general. And those that look so much like girls’ legs that I suffer from whiplash. “Ooh, nice legs. I wanna meet that chi—Oh, it’s a guy? _Pukes_” ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/848f3c/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_Dunlop)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-what-is-your-problem-when-it-comes-to-shorts/512113/111 "2009-10-02T12:49:09Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I don’t get it. Why would you want your guy to look good? The only reason guys like him dress up is to look good for women. If he starts trying to show off those “nice legs”…well, I’d get packing, cause you’re about to be dumped > > As for the actual point of this thread: meh. I question why it matters so much to the OP. I happen to agree with the guy. Guys legs look bad in general. And those that look so much like girls’ legs that I suffer from whiplash. “Ooh, nice legs. I wanna meet that chi—Oh, it’s a guy? _Pukes_” I thought \*\*Zsofia \*\*was pretty clear in her very first post that she wanted her boyfriend to have reasonable length shorts because she felt they’d be more appropriate for running. Then the boyfriend reacted surprisingly and she wanted opinions on why men are like that. She probably wouldn’t have started the thread at all if her boyfriend said something reasonable like “you know, they may be better for running but I’m just getting started and while I’m not at all afraid of my knees, I really like the color of the longer ones better.” But instead he was horrified at the idea of exposing his knees. That seems like a totally reasonable thing for a woman to be curious about because as a guy I also find it ridiculous. And are you suggesting people should actively want their partner to look bad because otherwise they’re about to leave you? How could anybody be that insecure? I can understand being old worn out and unimpressive and just not caring like **Diogenes the Cynic** and his wife, but who actively wants their partner to not look good? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-what-is-your-problem-when-it-comes-to-shorts/512113/112 "2009-10-02T13:22:20Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I don’t get it. Why would you want your guy to look good? The only reason guys like him dress up is to look good for women. If he starts trying to show off those “nice legs”…well, I’d get packing, cause you’re about to be dumped Yes, because a three-inch change in the length of his shorts is going to make that sumbitch a _playa_. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-what-is-your-problem-when-it-comes-to-shorts/512113/113 "2009-10-02T13:26:25Z")
You know, I run a fair amount, and I don’t see many guys running in below-the-knees shorts. Hanging out at the mall, sure. Playing basketball, sure. But not running. So if the OP’s husband is trying to go along with the crowd, he’s really not succeeding. ---
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-what-is-your-problem-when-it-comes-to-shorts/512113/114 "2009-10-02T13:30:42Z")
> [@Neidhart](#): > > I guess he doesn’t remember the late '70s when straight men thought nothing of wearing shorts so short they could sometimes pass for Daisy Dukes! > > I don’t have a problem wearing upper-thigh-length shorts; I like my legs. 😃 More likely he remembers that time all too well. \ ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-what-is-your-problem-when-it-comes-to-shorts/512113/115 "2009-10-02T14:01:01Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Yes, because a three-inch change in the length of his shorts is going to make that sumbitch a _playa_. :rolleyes: It’s all that fresh air on his giblets - makes a man restless, you know. Or not. I love you, **Fuzzy Dunlop**. And your valuable CI user name. ---
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-what-is-your-problem-when-it-comes-to-shorts/512113/116 "2009-10-02T14:01:30Z")
> [@D\_Odds](#): > > Your wife never asks your opinion, nor vice versa? Heck, everytime we go out anyplace where she has to dress other than jeans, I get a parade of 2-4 outfits to opine on. Sometimes, I’ll try to get her to switch to a skirt (unsuccessfully 98% of the time); most of the time I’ll suggest for her to wear whatever she likes best (at which point she’ll ask my mother-in-law and daughter). I don’t see anything in the OP about **Zsofia** ’s BF _asking_ for her opinion on his shorts. She was trying to force her ideas on him and then trying to pretend that her ideas were ‘normal’ and asking us what was wrong with _him_ (and by extention all men) for not liking them. Talk about projecting. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-what-is-your-problem-when-it-comes-to-shorts/512113/117 "2009-10-02T14:30:04Z")
Oh, come on. He was like, “Well, what do I need?” and I explained about liners and stuff and that you don’t wear underwear with them, and that these here are the running shorts, and how about these? “Uh, no. Pervert.” ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-what-is-your-problem-when-it-comes-to-shorts/512113/118 "2009-10-02T14:38:09Z")
> [@Death\_of\_Rats](#): > > Talk about projecting. :rolleyes: Try keeping up with the conversations. That was a sidebar with **DtC** related to, but not directly addressing, the OP. And, as a man, I’m on her side in that I see nothing wrong with shorts, especially for sports, just above the knee (and if you’ve got the legs, even mid-thigh). But I’m an old fart who remembers the really-short shorts of the late 70s (when I had the legs to support wearing even those). ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-what-is-your-problem-when-it-comes-to-shorts/512113/119 "2009-10-02T14:45:16Z")
> [@Death\_of\_Rats](#): > > I don’t see anything in the OP about **Zsofia** ’s BF _asking_ for her opinion on his shorts. She was trying to force her ideas on him and then trying to pretend that her ideas were ‘normal’ and asking us what was wrong with _him_ (and by extention all men) for not liking them. > > Talk about projecting. :rolleyes: Since when did the thread title change from: **Men - what is your problem when it comes to shorts?** to **Men - Why won’t my boyfriend just shut up and wear the shorts I tell him to wear?** If my friend is into rock climbing and wants to introduce me to the sport and offers to take me shopping to pick out some gear, I’d sure as hell be open to that person’s advice, especially if they offered to buy something for me. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-what-is-your-problem-when-it-comes-to-shorts/512113/120 "2009-10-02T17:31:56Z")
It’s just running. It doesn’t require any specialized knowledge. Also, if they’re married, then one person isn’t really buying anything _for_ the other person anyway. It’s all the same money. Even if you’re offering to buy something for someone else, what’s the point of trying to buy them something they don’t want? Just let it go. let the poor guy wear whatever he wants. If the longer shorts ever really begin to hinder his ability to run (and they won’t), then he can make his own decision to buy the hot pants. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-what-is-your-problem-when-it-comes-to-shorts/512113.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-what-is-your-problem-when-it-comes-to-shorts/512113.md?page=7)