12 Things Men Should Do, But Don't
By Everett Meyer
page 1 page 2
At some point, every man has sought out and implemented ways to improve his life. However, there are also many other helpful things we don't do, and often without any logical explanation. For example, asking for directions is a classic example of something that used to be very difficult for us men to do; of course, since the invention of GPS and online maps, there's no reason to anymore.
Here are some modern day examples of things men should do, but don't:
1. Use coupons.
Sure, we all have visions of old ladies holding up grocery store lines with bunches of coupons, but in reality, this is something men should be doing too. Nearly all big retail outlets offer coupons at some point, with electronics stores, multi-purpose stores (like Target or the Wiz), grocery stores, restaurants, and hotels often serving up unbeatable deals.
Why we don't: Let's be honest here. We don't use coupons because we're too lazy to look for them, and also because we don't want to look cheap. Period.
Why we should: Who wouldn't like to save some money now and again? Considering the only catch is having to scan the local newspaper or flyers left at our door, it's inconceivable that we should not start doing this. And besides, the more you save on things like groceries, the more you can spend on beer and electronics.
2. Read the instructions/owner's manual.
If you look around your house for them, you'll discover that the manuals to your electronic devices, car and appliances have probably never been used (that is, if you've even kept them).
Why we don't: Who needs a small multilingual booklet to tell them what to do? And anyway, they're impossible to decipher half the time. Is the use of ancient hieroglyphs really necessary when explaining the features of a DVD player?
Why we should: Hooking up your surround sound system properly allows you to watch movies like Gladiator the way they were meant to be watched: loud and in your face. Besides, wouldn't it be nice to really know how things work and how to properly assemble them?
3. Follow a recipe.
Cooking in general should be every modern cosmopolitan man's goal, but more importantly, cracking open a cookbook and following a recipe is something every man should be able to do. If not for the impression you can make on women or the simple and tasty meal ideas, then at least to be able to control exactly what you're eating, and how it's prepared.
Why we don't: No matter how good or easy a recipe or cookbook may be, most of us men know that it's much easier to just order food, or get married.
Why we should: Most books are so simple that monkeys could cook up a four-course meal, so there's no reason you can't make every meal at home a winner. This is especially helpful if you're trying to start a new relationship on the right foot, or if you're tying to spice up an older one.
4. Maintain your stuff.
When is the last time you cleaned the inside of your car? What about the outside? Ironed your shirts lately? And what about those shoes? Shouldn't you get them shined? Exactly. The list of our maintenance failures is never-ending, and while it can be difficult to keep up when we're busy, this is something we really should do.
Why we don't: It's easier to hope these things will start fending for themselves, which is another way of saying that we're lazy and that ironing shirts is about as exciting as watching a game of lawn bowling.
Why we should: If you can't maintain things, why buy them in the first place? Besides, if you care for the things you buy, they'll not only look and perform better, but they'll last longer too, which saves you money in the long run.
5. Get regular check-ups.
We usually visit doctors as a last resort, when that sprained ankle has swollen to the size of a grapefruit or that lump can no longer be ignored. But every man should get checked out regularly, if not for STDs or illnesses related to aging (heart and prostate diseases especially), then at least in order to lead an all-around healthy life.
Why we don't: Most men know two things in this area: what we don't know won't hurt us, and most pain can be walked off or put up with. I mean, what the hell do doctors know anyway?
Why we should: Staying Alive isn't just a movie. Stupid pride and fear can keep you from spotting and eradicating small problems before they become serious. Besides, hitting on nurses is fun.
6. Do laundry properly.
Most of us have good intentions when it comes to washing our clothes. We want to do it regularly and properly, but we somehow still end up mixing colors and whites, piling our clean clothes with the dirty ones, and never ironing the items that need it most.
Why we don't: Everyone knows that doing laundry sucks, which is why we often go by the motto, "the faster it's done, the better." This attitude is obviously the main culprit.
Why we should: Clothes may not make the man, but they sure as hell can make an impression. If your clothes look sloppy, dirty or wrinkled, people will think badly of you, particularly in professional settings.
page 1 page 2 |