To the T

Growing up I often looked forward to going to Fenway Park (Say: Paaak) for ballgames. Going to games was synonymous with taking the Green line T inbound to Kenmore (Say: Kenmwa). The "T' is short for trolley and is what the light rail system is referred to in Boston. In other parts of the world the public transportation system has different names. In Chicago they call it the "L" apparently because of the many elevated platforms, in London they call it the "Underground", in New York they call it the "Subway" (even the above ground sections), in Hong Kong it is called the "MTR". When I was in my early teens I flew to Washington DC (De Capital) for a trip with my Older Brother, J1, and my Grandfather. During this trip we stayed by my cousins in Maryland. To travel between Maryland and DC we used the local light rail system known as the "Metro". "Metro" obviously coming from the word "Metropolitan" or "Metropolis".

The word "Metro" is also used in the 21st century to describe a a young, urban, heterosexual male with liberal political views, an interest in fashion, and a refined sense of taste. I, and I assume many of my peers as well, would describe myself as metro.

My good taste and vision in regards to fashion, color schemes, design and tastefulness has led at least a few of my friends to heed my advise on these items. This included an event yesterday when I was in a mall with friends (pre-movie outing) and one of the girls said "Wow, I have never been shopping with you yet, what an experience". This was a mere 20 hours after a good friend of mine spoke about me and said something to the tune of that I am always surrounded by girls, because it is me, so that's different.

Now, I wonder - am I doing something wrong? Did I misplace my manlyness somewhere along the way? Have I enjoyed one too many chick-flicks? Do I need to start wearing yesterdays jeans and a dirty t-shirt? Is there really something wrong with wanting to be "put together"? Can I not be straight and show that I have good taste?

In my opinion the best definition of what a woman wants in a man stems from a human being's basic survival instincts and can be summed up in 3 words: love, protection and stability.

(Full Disclosure: I am known for my dislike of horror movies and my inclination for romantic comedies. Yes, I do tear up at the mushy parts.)

Lets focus for a second on protection. During yesterdays movie I jumped at least once during one of the more eerie scenes. Is it possible that with that split second reaction to what was happening on the screen I managed to cause an immediate riposte in the surrounding people's mind that "this guy is not a protector"? Should I be more careful and train myself not to react to loud noises, should I always "expect the unexpected"? I don't think so.

I will not change who I am. I like me. I will probably reserve jeans and tshirts for friday afternoons, I will probably continue shopping and offering my advise on the same. I will probably continue watching "light & stupid" movies. I will probably keep jumping at the scary scenes and tearing at the sappy scenes. I will probably find my eventual wife despite and because of all of these things. I am not worried about coming off as a failed protector. I am a metrosexual. I fit the description to the Tee. Love me for who I am.