# Why do men dislike Inglebert Humperdink ? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 12, 2002, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190 "2002-04-12T07:35:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2002, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/21 "2002-04-15T23:52:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Drastic \* > \*\*Because he’s dead. > > ::nods:: \*\* ::shakes head vigorously and waves arms:: No, he’s not dead! **Drastic** was just kidding. He’s fine! He’s fine! ---
**Author:** ![DPWhite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d26b3c/32.png) [@DPWhite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPWhite)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2002, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/22 "2002-04-16T00:10:43Z")
He’s a lounge singer, isn’t he? Kinda like Tom Jones, or Wayne Newton, isn’t that right? Don’t care for any of 'em. ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2002, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/23 "2002-04-16T01:31:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cornflakes \* > \*\*::shakes head vigorously and waves arms:: > No, he’s not dead! **Drastic** was just kidding. He’s fine! He’s fine! \*\* [Either he’s really _really_ old, or he’s dead.](http://www.livermorevalleyopera.com/history.html) (I don’t know why people keep getting upset by the fact that “Engelbert Humperdink is dead”. He’s been dead for a VERY long time. Sheesh, get over it, folks! 😃 ) However, I’m sure the “other one” is fine. Never cared for him much, though. ---
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2002, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/24 "2002-04-16T03:41:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by yosemitebabe \* > \*\* > [Either he’s really _really_ old, or he’s dead.](http://www.livermorevalleyopera.com/history.html) > > (I don’t know why people keep getting upset by the fact that “Engelbert Humperdink is dead”. He’s been dead for a VERY long time. Sheesh, get over it, folks! 😃 ) \*\* [sub]Yes… (gives knowing nod) Car crash. Just the other day… It was in all the papers.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![BalmainBoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6a8cbe/32.png) [@BalmainBoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BalmainBoy)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2002, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/25 "2002-04-16T07:42:43Z")
'Ees a ponce! ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2002, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/26 "2002-04-19T08:06:52Z")
Deeward, The good news is that you are apparently not alone in your fandom. It seems that [Jayne Mansfield’s ghost](http://www.psychics-cafe.com/celebrities/engelberthumperdinck.html) is also a fan. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2002, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/27 "2002-04-19T11:03:26Z")
Am I the only one who thinks of Liberace when he hears Engleblert Humperdink’s name? I dunno why, but I always conflate the two. I keep having mental pictures of Engleblert at a piano, with a huge candleabera, grinning a cheesey grin, and dedicating “Please release me” to “My brother George…whereever you are!” I mean, I know they’re two seperate people, but I just think of 'em both as a big, annoying blur. In a completely similar note, what’s with Gilbert O’Sullivan and Engleblert Humperdink? I mean, what’s with cheezy pop-stars (well…not stars, actually…um…) ripping off the names of classical composers? Fenris ---
**Author:** ![NutMagnet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ea5d25/32.png) [@NutMagnet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NutMagnet)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2002, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/28 "2002-04-19T11:28:01Z")
On a serious note, I believe he was among the first “engineered” pop stars. That is, he was perceived as not having worked his way up, based on his talent. His manager renamed him from Arnold Dorsey to Engelbert Humperdinck after an 1870’s composer, packaged him with all the other “British Invaders” and shipped him to the US. At the time (mid-60’s), this kind of blatant packaging and promotion was unique, so I think it turned off the “serious” music fans (mostly young men) of the day. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2002, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/29 "2002-04-19T11:28:40Z")
Perhaps it is the style of music? More suited for the romantic, dreamy vein in women than men tend to repress and think is foolish. How many men (heterosexual) read Harlequin Romances? Watch Soap Operas? I know they are out there, but I would wager they are a great statistical minority. If you can pin down why it is you adore him so much, we may be able to give an alternate view of those aspects of his person. ---
**Author:** ![hardygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a3d4f5/32.png) [@hardygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hardygrrl)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2002, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/30 "2002-04-19T12:31:55Z")
Maybe because describing his music as banal is being **very** generous? Maybe it’s the tight pants, the poofy blow dry hair or the Seventies porn star mustache? Maybe they _have taste?_ Go figure ---
**Author:** ![Geek\_Mecha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecae2f/32.png) [@Geek\_Mecha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geek_Mecha)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2002, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/31 "2002-04-19T14:38:14Z")
Several points here, **deeward** : 1. Why did you assume those posters were all men? 2. Why do you think we’re unclear about why we dislike EH? Why do you think we’re grasping for reasons to dislike EH? Why can’t those reasons be those posters’ sincere, definite, and resolved reasons? 3. > [@](#): > > As I see it, the question about men and Englebert Humperdink is worthy as psychological issue; of psychological study, beleive it or not. So… people who don’t agree with your _opinion_ of Englebert Humperdink might have mental problems? 1. In your many EH threads, I haven’t seen anyone say anything unpleasant about you personally. If anything, these posts have been trashing Englebert Humperdink. Does it really wound you that much to hear the _opinions_ of others who don’t care for EH? Frankly, considering your reaction to criticisms of EH (who is another person, right? and not _you_, right?) I would hate to see how you take criticisms that are directed at you personally. If it does bother you as much as you say it does, then I recommend you quit bringing him up. No one started a “Holy Spit, I hate Englebert Humperdink!” thread here. It was you who brought him up, and in doing so opened him up to criticism. Please, move on. There are a lot of other topics to discuss on this board. Chalk up the distaste for EH as one of the millions of things Dopers will disagree on, and move on. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2002, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/32 "2002-04-19T23:22:17Z")
Why do I dislike him? (I’m a woman, but I’m answering anyway) Well all the stuff they play on the infomercials sounds just awful. I don’t care for that style of music. And I read in your other thread that you think he was “gorgeous” when he was younger… I went through the photo album site you linked to and I can now say that I don’t find him attractive at all. See how we are all different and can have different opinions? Pretty neat stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2002, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/33 "2002-04-20T03:28:15Z")
I think I’ll move this to Cafe Society, but before I do, a small note to deeward: If you ask for the opinions of others, be prepared for answers that might not coincide with yours. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2002, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/34 "2002-04-21T05:22:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by galt \* > \*\*I didn’t think it was **men** who disliked him, but rather **people who can hear**. > > 😃 \*\* AMEN! I’m female and I can’t STAND the man! Engelbert Humperdinck-ech. Gag. “So I sing you to sleep, after the lovin…” Good LORD, man, do you want to make me sick? That’s not warmth, that’s syrup! That ooey, gooey, fakey, overly sugared candy that hurts your teeth and tastes fake and makes you run to the fridge and gulp down a flat, skunky Schlitz just to remove the taste! I didn’t even have to hear the guy sing to know he sucked. My mom had a record of his-I saw it, saw the pictures, saw his name, and thought-what a loser. Although “Lesbian Seagull” was kinda cool, in a giggling, weird sort of way. (But Mr. Van Driesen sang it better! NOW, you want a musician to put you “in the mood”, look no further than Glenn Miller. No, he didn’t sing, but he had rhythem, great breath control (he was a TROMBONIST-hello!), and probably one HELL of a mouth. 😉 Whew…is it warm in here… ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2002, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/35 "2002-04-21T05:27:29Z")
Oh, and another thing-if you want good looking men in general, look at Gregory Peck. You said Humperdinck (ehehe…“hump” ehehehe) doesn’t look as good now. Gregory Peck just turned 80 and still oozes sex appeal. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2002, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/36 "2002-04-21T06:15:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Guinastasia \* > **NOW, you want a musician to put you “in the mood”, look no further than Glenn Miller. No, he didn’t sing, but he had rhythem, great breath control (he was a TROMBONIST-hello!), and probably one HELL of a mouth. 😉** I hear ya. In fact, Chattanooga Choo-Choo is the song to which I first kissed my sweetheart. It’s a lovely song, brings out great memories – I only wish the name weren’t quite so goofy. I wouldn’t know Engelbert Humperdinck if he came up and licked me on the ear. Tom Jones doesn’t bother me, but he doesn’t get my rocks off, either; if EH is like TJ, then I probably wouldn’t have much of a problem with him. But I’m always perplexed by people who take an attack on their aesthetic tastes personally. If I despised EH – if I thought he was the worst thing since papercuts – why would you care? Moreover, why would you devote time to making me feel bad for liking him? My first temptation on seeing this thread was to respond, “Because he makes me feel impotent.” But that wouldn’t be true. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2002, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/37 "2002-04-21T06:21:45Z")
Ehehehe…his name is “humperdink”…ehehehe…ehehe…ehehehe ---
**Author:** ![meyer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ccd318/32.png) [@meyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/meyer)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2002, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/38 "2002-04-21T12:17:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by deeward \* > \*\* > What are you, …a bunch of men with a toothpick-sucking sense of humor? > \*\* Wait a minute… what the hell does this mean? ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2002, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/39 "2002-04-21T13:42:20Z")
That does have to be one of the more bizarre insults I’ve seen in a while, **Meyer**. Maybe she’s calling us non-fans rubes? Any other guesses? ---
**Author:** ![Tourian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@Tourian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tourian)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2002, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/40 "2002-04-21T17:19:46Z")
Well, speaking for people in the age range of 20-21 born in So California, I honestly have no idea what all this hogwash is all about. I love oldies. Beatles rule, Rolling Stones, Temptations, etc. etc. etc…and so do all the people I know my age, and they’re quite well informed. But I honest to god never HEARD of this fool until a few years ago when I saw one of those oldies collection infomercials on TV. Then haphazardly I saw a commercial showing footage at one of his concerts. You know who was in the audience? Lotta 40 somethin women with gleams of love in their eyes. Ummm, okay, and can we say his music sucks? This man with the most prepoterous of names is actually famous? Tom Jones is the man and I know him well, but this just boggles me. Incidentally, I’m studying abroad in China right now and I just heard Humperdink is gonna be in concert in Hong Kong soon. What the heck? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190.md?page=3)