# Why do men have to know the size of their penis? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 31, 2001, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-have-to-know-the-size-of-their-penis/52533 "2001-01-31T07:44:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2001, 9:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-have-to-know-the-size-of-their-penis/52533/61 "2001-02-01T09:03:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by matt\_mcl \* > **So I know the right size of dildos to buy.** Matt, before reading this, I always had a hard time envisioning the expression “go fuck yourself.” Now I understand. 😃 –sublight. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2001, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-have-to-know-the-size-of-their-penis/52533/62 "2001-02-01T17:21:08Z")
What’s more odd to me is why men need to know the size of other guys’ penises. ---
**Author:** ![BornDodgy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19b73/32.png) [@BornDodgy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BornDodgy)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2001, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-have-to-know-the-size-of-their-penis/52533/63 "2001-02-01T17:56:47Z")
… how could I forget to add this??? sheeesh… **The average length** a guy thinks an erect penis measures: 10 inces. What it really measures: 5.1 inches. What women think: 4 inches. Jane Magazine 01/2000 ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2001, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-have-to-know-the-size-of-their-penis/52533/64 "2001-02-01T19:09:28Z")
“Why do men have to know the size of their penis?” Well…it comes in handy at the lumberyard if you’ve forgotten your tape measure 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Doobieous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/da6949/32.png) [@Doobieous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doobieous)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2001, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-have-to-know-the-size-of-their-penis/52533/65 "2001-02-01T23:03:26Z")
Why did I measure mine? Well, in gay chats this is like almost mandatory :D. Actually in those I give out very little info unless they press for more. Also, i was just curious. I’ll just say i’m a bit above average :). Also, in gay chatrooms i rarely ever hear someone say they are under 7 inches. Everyone is usually 7 inches to 9 inches long. In fact i’m just about the only guy who wont lie about it, I think. ---
**Author:** ![lno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@lno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lno)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2001, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-have-to-know-the-size-of-their-penis/52533/66 "2001-02-02T00:00:41Z")
We’re talking measurement of an erect penis, right? [sub]Or else I’ll really start feeling bad.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2001, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-have-to-know-the-size-of-their-penis/52533/67 "2001-02-02T01:53:13Z")
In a human sexuality class I took we were fairly reliably informed that while flaccid penis size varies, in general, erect size doesn’t as much. Obviously there are some variations…and didn’t Cecil do a column on this once? ---
**Author:** ![Rasa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rasa/32/3578_2.png) [@Rasa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rasa)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2001, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-have-to-know-the-size-of-their-penis/52533/68 "2001-02-02T02:02:40Z")
Ok, here it is. My dick is so big that there was a revolution and they proclaimed the people’s republic of my dick! Heehee! ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2001, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-have-to-know-the-size-of-their-penis/52533/69 "2001-02-02T05:27:55Z")
Chalk me up as another guy who has never measured. I’m plenty happy with it, and I want the ladies to be happy with it as well, but I’ve never had the urge to pin it down to exact measurements. Its not really information thats ever asked for my men or women, so why would I need it. I suppose I should correct that and say the only women who have ever asked did so after they’d already expressed their approval by showing some interest in me. So I guess its just idle tittilating curiosity. I just responded by saying if they’d like to know, they’ll have to measure for themselves. I don’t think on the whole its as big a compulsion as people say it is. I think men and women are usually interested in sex, and penis size is a fun detail to giggle over, just like a woman’s measurements, or the checklist of experiences you’ve had. Penis size is just one detail of sexuality that has a especially juvenile implication. I don’t think it is, but you sure look juvenile if you broadcast it. Generally I think penis envy is less epidemic as people claim. ---
**Author:** ![jaimest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/48db29/32.png) [@jaimest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaimest)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2001, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-have-to-know-the-size-of-their-penis/52533/70 "2001-02-02T06:21:24Z")
I refuse to take pride in something in which every chimpanzee may be my equal and any jackass is my superior. ---
**Author:** ![NothingMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b77776/32.png) [@NothingMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NothingMan)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2001, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-have-to-know-the-size-of-their-penis/52533/71 "2001-02-02T08:28:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SuperNelson \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Carina42 \* > > \*\*Ohh…It’s five an a half FEET?! Holy mackerel. > > > > ::runs shrieking out of the room:: \*\* > > If it’s 5.5’, being in the next room might not be enough… \*\* Reminds me of this guy I knew in high school. We used to call him “roundcorn”, because he could pee “around corners”. I wish I could say that he couldn’t, but unfortunately I know he actually could. It took a long time before any female friends knew what why we called him that. The point is you still wouldn’t be safe in the next room. but consider _Its not the length of the wand, its the magic inside._ further _Its not the size of the wave, its the motion of the ocean._ and if all else fails \*It don’t matter how big the stick is, because baby I got cruuuuuuuuuise control. \* I suppose if you have a very small penis you could always buy a big damned S.U.V. I’ll stick with my honda. No pun and all. ---
**Author:** ![SpidyReb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@SpidyReb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpidyReb)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2001, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-have-to-know-the-size-of-their-penis/52533/72 "2001-02-04T00:40:23Z")
Just gotta say that those who say “it isn’t the size of the boat, it’s the motion of the ocean,” have obviously never tried to get to England in a row boat. 🙂 But seriously, I’m at a loss to know why it matters. I have yet to go to a job interview and heard them say, “well I’d like to hire you, but…” Well, unless you’re in a certain type of industry. To me, there’s only one person in my life who needs the information, and as long as she’s happy, who cares. That’s my $0.02. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2001, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-have-to-know-the-size-of-their-penis/52533/73 "2001-02-07T07:00:50Z")
> [@](#): > > **St. Attila:** Height restriction in the parking garage. > > **ThisYearsGirl:** I just spent five minutes staring at my computer screen, and I still don’t get this. I’ll guess you’re not being facetious, so… Vagina = parking garage. Penis = Chevy Blazer. Or Geo Metro, as the case may be. Clear? ---
**Author:** ![St.Attila](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@St.Attila](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/St.Attila)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2001, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-have-to-know-the-size-of-their-penis/52533/74 "2001-02-07T15:06:26Z")
Actually, **Cervaise** , I was being facetious. I was more tired than clever. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2001, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-have-to-know-the-size-of-their-penis/52533/75 "2001-02-07T17:46:07Z")
Actually, **St. Attila,** I was referring to the possibility of your respondent being facetious about lack of understanding; the wink in your post was almost audible. I was being more clever than clear. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Gozu\_Tashoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7993a0/32.png) [@Gozu\_Tashoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu_Tashoya)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2001, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-have-to-know-the-size-of-their-penis/52533/76 "2001-02-07T18:27:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jaimest \* > \*\*I refuse to take pride in something in which every chimpanzee may be my equal and any jackass is my superior. > \*\* Heh, now that’s sig material if ever I saw it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/soul_brother_number_two/32/3515_2.png) [@Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soul_Brother_Number_Two)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2001, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-have-to-know-the-size-of-their-penis/52533/77 "2001-02-07T19:05:57Z")
cuz my last girlfriend hadda sign over her bed that read “you must be this long to go on this ride.” ---
**Author:** ![Vestal\_Blue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/5e9695/32.png) [@Vestal\_Blue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vestal_Blue)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2001, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-have-to-know-the-size-of-their-penis/52533/78 "2001-02-07T23:16:49Z")
Why measure? Don’t be silly! “When in doubt, whup it out” of course! This has solved problems from which direction to turn, to what tires to buy. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Gozu\_Tashoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7993a0/32.png) [@Gozu\_Tashoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu_Tashoya)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2001, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-have-to-know-the-size-of-their-penis/52533/79 "2001-02-08T02:01:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by essvee \* > \*\*cuz my last girlfriend hadda sign over her bed that read “you must be this long to go on this ride.” \*\* A girl I knew had that too. And never mind that (not an issue) but, dude, you should have seen the line! :eek: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-have-to-know-the-size-of-their-penis/52533.md?page=3)