What is metrosexual? Meaning and characteristics

George Alvarez 18-10-2023
George Alvarez

Taking care of one's appearance has always been something common for women, in fact, even by social pressure over time. In relation to men, this custom has become more popular recently and with a certain prejudice by others. Therefore, let's understand what it means metrosexual and some more common characteristics.

What is metrosexual?

The meaning of metrosexual points to a man who has a greater concern and care for his appearance In this, he follows a personal ritual in order to enhance his appearance and physical attributes. In many cases, this can end up becoming an exaggeration and reflecting strangeness in the faces of some members.

The term is a union of the words metropolitan concerning the city or metropolis, with sexual More than ever, male vanity is in vogue and is becoming more and more common in the social environment.

The metrosexual is fashionable and likes to dress very well, making use of comfort in this perspective. His clothes and accessories used become his trademark and a representation of his self-esteem. In addition, he is adept at taking care of himself in beauty salons, hairdressers, estheticians, manicure, waxing, perfumery, and others.

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Characteristics of the metrosexual person

It is quite easy to recognize a metrosexual because he stands out from other individuals with obviousness. It is worth pointing out that, just like any other custom, this is in no way harmful to the man if it is not exaggerated. The most visible signs are:

Vanity

He cares about his own appearance, takes constant care to keep himself well-groomed This is part of their routine, so it takes time to complete. Some are even annoyed when they find it without visual preparation that they do it.

Adherence to "feminine customs

For a long time women have received the nickname of being adept at cosmetic care. However, many men embrace this path and use a number of products, spending considerable amounts of money on clothes, accessories, and products. Not to mention that it is also common to use plastic surgery on the face and body.

A good example of this is the increase in the search for facial harmonization, which standardizes the face and changes its structure.

Money is no problem

Even with limited resources, appearance comes first and money for it will always be there. It is because of this that the individual always keeps his looks in excellent posture to the standard followed.

Origins

The word metrosexual appeared in the mid-1990s thanks to journalist Mark Simpson. However, the term only became popular in 2002, when Mark published an article during the World Cup. This is because the football player David Beckham had posed for a magazine aimed at gay consumers in the UK .

For Mark Simpson, David Beckham was regarded as the most famous metrosexual in Britain. The player possessed an arrogance and narcissism when he said that he loved to be stared at by other people. Regardless of the sex of those who looked at him, he strove to enhance his appearance and cause admiration.

Note that Beckham is straight, married, a father, and has always worked with soccer and his image, something quite masculinized. However, he has become an unofficial representative of metrosexualism in his home country by his constant care with his appearance. This touches on a point regarding the associated sexual orientation that we will talk about later.

Behavior and market

As stated above, beauty actions were almost entirely managed and directed toward women. However, men began to observe and better understand personal care actions. Because of this that a culture has fed itself over time and established the figure of the man valuing appearance .

In order to deal with this demand, a market of beauty products for men was given. With this, men gained even more options of products and services that contribute to this behavior. More than ever they had commercial support and social acceptance from those who understand and share their desires.

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The space they create has made metrosexuals attuned to fashion trends to keep themselves always up to date. Their financial side has a specific direction to support their beauty-related tastes. This behavior, which emerged a few decades ago and was restricted to women, today feeds a giant market of male beauty.

Vanities and prejudices

As stated in the paragraphs above, metrosexuals suffer prejudice because of the way they live. The act of dressing elegantly and always looking well-groomed connects them to homosexuals. However, metrosexuality is connected with vanity and not with sexual orientation .

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Here is exposed a stereotype that the straight man needs to be careless and appear wild. Meanwhile, it takes away the dignity and respect that homosexuals deserve by associating them negatively with aesthetic behavior. Although the issue is not a joke, some do not care to be synonymous with care and self-esteem.

In general, it is necessary to open the doors and understand that this reality exists: men are concerned about their own image. To reduce or try to trivialize this denotes a deep-rooted prejudice that is very toxic to this public. On the other hand, a person's sexual orientation should not be used as a resource to make fun of or take away someone's significance.

Gym Rats

The term metrosexual also refers to the famous "gym rats," people who regularly go to the gym. They have an obsession with their own body, so they model their routine for this. Not to mention that they are physically attracted to people who share a similar appearance .

There is also a strict schedule in which he controls what he eats, when and how he eats. This standardization aims at maintaining the acquired muscle mass and getting as close to perfection as possible. Going further, he also goes to gyms so that he can admire people with a similar biotype.

However, the quest to maintain themselves at this level messes directly with their behavior and mood. It is easy for people in this profile to be irritable and explosive about their posture. Even if they get what they want, the quest for aesthetic perfection is quite exhausting.

The good side of metrosexuality

Looking from a healthy perspective, being metrosexual does have positive aspects. The complication in this behavior lies in the exaggeration that many people commit and push the limit of what is normal. On the other hand, when done in a conscious and beneficial way, it contributes to:

  • Self-esteem

We need the clarity to appreciate ourselves and maintain care in order to feel good about ourselves. Having self-esteem is important so that our perception about our existence is positive and constructive. You don't have to exaggerate, of course, but having a minimum of appreciation and care for your image is important. .

  • Health

A metrosexual goes beyond appearance and is also concerned about the state of his health, because it is common for men not to visit a doctor or to go only when it is too late. A metrosexual is also concerned about his health and visits doctors to take care of it more often.

  • Relationships

They know that a good appearance attracts attention, whether in romance or in your career. When it comes to work, a great look reveals the way you care about yourself on a daily basis. Thinking along these lines, especially if you're looking for work, invest more in your appearance and turn it into a business card.

Final considerations about metrosexual

The metrosexual walks in the direction of beauty and is a herald of vanity in everyone's daily life Although it may seem like no offense, you need to be aware of this behavior so that you don't suffocate yourself, and avoid allowing a narcissistic, superficial, and self-damaging attitude.

Your appearance is not everything, but the way you manage it has a direct impact on the way you live.

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In order to explore other personal aspects besides image, enroll in our 100% online Psychoanalysis course. Through it, you will be able to better understand your needs, in order to feed your self-knowledge, as well as your potential. The effort you put into exercising your metrosexual aspect can also help elevate your mode of existence .

I want information to enroll in the Psychoanalysis Course .

George Alvarez

George Alvarez is a renowned psychoanalyst who has been practicing for over 20 years and is highly regarded in the field. He is a sought-after speaker and has conducted numerous workshops and training programs on psychoanalysis for professionals in the mental health industry. George is also an accomplished writer and has authored several books on psychoanalysis that have received critical acclaim. George Alvarez is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and expertise with others and has created a popular blog on Online Training Course in Psychoanalysis that is widely followed by mental health professionals and students around the world. His blog provides a comprehensive training course that covers all aspects of psychoanalysis, from theory to practical applications. George is passionate about helping others and is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of his clients and students.