Should men wear cologne?

[Allen]

I have always thought that cologne is low class, feminine and that a true gentleman shouldn't smell. Period. Like, it's better not to smell at all than to smell good. Of course, it's worse to smell bad than to smell good, but that's another conversation we're having

.
Nowadays, people have been asking me why don't I wear cologne. I usually explain to them, but it leaves them quite dissatisfied.
What do you ppl think?

 

[nahneun]

They probably ask you because you smell bad.

 

[Allen]

Heavens, no. That's not the case.
They ask me why don't I wear cologne because I tend to dress better than most so they are wondering about my lack of smell.
Plus, cologne isn't there to cover up the stench, but to give a finishing touch. At least, that's how things should be.

 

[sonick]

Originally Posted by Allen

I usually explain to them, but it leaves them quite dissatisfied. What do you ppl think?
I think you're a pretentious douche.

 

[nahneun]

Originally Posted by sonick

I think you're a pretentious douche.

This.

 

[Allen]

Yeah. Thanks. Really mature.
Why do you think that?

 

[Jsoftz]

Originally Posted by sonick

I think you're a pretentious douche.

+1

How is it not effeminate to dress "better than most," to the point that you're making note of it- yet somehow cologne is off limits?

Once some guy saw me drinking with a straw, and said "real men don't drink with straws." My reply was "real men don't give a **** what other people say about using straws.". Same thing here.

 

[somatoform]

Originally Posted by Allen

Yeah. Thanks. Really mature.
Why do you think that?

Because your profile of a "true gentleman" is exclusionary. Rather than saying that you don't prefer cologne, but think nothing less, in terms of gentlemanliness, of men who do, you exclude those who do from the true gentleman profile. That's how the word "true" here functions.

 

[ter1413]

I don't wear cologne...but do put on some aftershave balm right after my shower....

 

[Thomas]

Originally Posted by Allen

Heavens, no. That's not the case.
They ask me why don't I wear cologne because I tend to dress better than most so they are wondering about my lack of smell.
Plus, cologne isn't there to cover up the stench, but to give a finishing touch. At least, that's how things should be.

I wear cologne pretty much every day. If you overdo it, or go cheap (and choose poorly), then that gives a bad impression. Something discreet and tasteful becomes a good finishing touch.

 

[Rambo]

These balls aren't going to scent themselves you know.

 

[Master-Classter]

of course you don't have to, but there are many things you don't have to do.

think of it as another opportunity to learn about an art form and another way to express your personality, or even mood that day.

If you think it's low class, then you're probably being a pretentious douche.
if you think it's feminin, then you have gender issues, you chauvanist.

and the fact that you're even debating this means that you realize other people all agree on something and you didn't and you either want justification from this small group to tell you you're right and everyone else is wrong, or you're slowly coming to terms with being wrong and you want us to help give you a justification to let you feel ok with changing your behaviors (cognitive dissonance).

 

[Allen]

Originally Posted by somatoform

Because your profile of a "true gentleman" is exclusionary. Rather than saying that you don't prefer cologne, but think nothing less, in terms of gentlemanliness, of men who do, you exclude those who do from the true gentleman profile. That's how the word "true" here functions.

Well, I was talking about myself and what I think. I don't believe that my opinion is necessarily true so I don't judge people. But I do judge myself based on my opinion. I am not saying that I think less of people who wear cologne(or of the people who dress poorly, btw), I would simply think less of myself.

 

[nahneun]

Originally Posted by Allen

Well, I was talking about myself and what I think. I don't believe that my opinion is necessarily true so I don't judge people. But I do judge myself based on my opinion. I am not saying that I think less of people who wear cologne(or of the people who dress poorly, btw), I would simply think less of myself.

Originally Posted by Allen

I have always thought that cologne is low class, feminine and that a true gentleman shouldn't smell. Period. Like, it's better not to smell at all than to smell good. Of course, it's worse to smell bad than to smell good, but that's another conversation we're having

. Nowadays, people have been asking me why don't I wear cologne. I usually explain to them, but it leaves them quite dissatisfied. What do you ppl think?
You've already made two very blatant judgments right here based on your opinions on cologne and proper gentleman etiquette. I always find it funny when people say they don't judge others. By simply formulating your own opinions, you are already judging. The two are never mutually exclusive.

 

[L'Incandescent]

I know where the OP is coming from. I too dress fabulously (if I do say so myself). And my friends keep asking me why I go without a frag. Whenever I'm feeling blue, they always say "You just need a good frag in your life. That will make you so much happier." Why do they keep saying that?