It's no secret that we live in a society where gender roles are firmly enforced. In the case of men, the gender stereotype is that they can never do anything that is considered too "feminine," because deviating from anything that isn't considered masculine is wrong and a sign of weakness.
And a couple of days ago, Reddit user u/Levels2ThisBruh brought up this topic when they asked the AskReddit community, "Fellas, what's something you secretly love but hide because of gender stereotypes?"
The thread had thousands of responses. Here are some of the top-voted and best comments:
1. "I used to crochet and knit, but then I found a girlfriend who made fun of it. It caused me to slowly stop, even though I missed it a lot. I have tried to pick it up again from time to time, but the desire is immediately destroyed as I remember being ridiculed by her and the way it used to make me feel."
2. "Honestly, going to Bath & Body Works is my shit. I’m a basic bitch for the lovely candles and lotions."
3. "Definitely girly pop music. I'm pretty sure my tastes are supposed to be completely different, but they're not. I don't listen to music around other people that isn't their music."
4. "I wear a more masculine cologne when I go out, but secretly, I would rather be slathered up in the smell of lavender. Shit smells amazing."
5. "I used to have a kitchen garden next to which I had planted flowers: marigolds, crimson roses, and pink creepers, among others. I always told folks who came home that those were my mom's. I was actually quite proud of them (secretly)."
6. "I love candles. There are always two in my living room, and I get excited to get new ones. And baths are amazing and relaxing. (Just wish they were a bit larger.)"
7. "I don’t really hide it, but I’ve been made fun of for enjoying fruity drinks. Like, I can handle straight liquor fine, but it tastes horrible to me, so I love cloaking it in fun drinks. It’s really weird the number of people who only drink beer or 'manly' drinks who look down on fruity cocktails. Even women do it. Give me that Svedka strawberry-lemonade infused vodka with raspberry juice and a splash of coconut rum any day of the spring/summer and I’m a happy guy."
8. "Being stroked, the way I do to my partner, and stroking/playing with her hair...except it turns out I'm a demanding little bitch, and gimme dem strokes! Also, being the small spoon. She my backpack. 😂"
9. "When I was in late middle school, I loved the show aimed at girls As Told by Ginger. I hid it for fear of being called gay (I'm straight, but when you're 13, that's a big 'insult'). But I really loved it. The stories were dramatic and relatively realistic. The characters had flaws (Dodie, you bitch). The titular character acted more like 23 than 12, and her journal writings were insightful. And the coolest part? Characters changed outfits every day! I'm 34, and while I was trying to rewatch it recently, it showed me it's definitely a show for children and is kinda irritating for an adult (but that's natural). Still, I'm finally cool with admitting I loved that show in eighth grade. Very wholesome."
10. "I have to admit that I like chick flicks sometimes. Steel Magnolias tears me the fuck up every time I watch it…but it’s a great movie. I like movies that make me feel."
11. "You know those tall boots that women wear in the fall? I wish there were men’s versions that were a part of everyday style."
12. "Someone to vent to. Bottling up emotions gets old quickly."
13. "Sitting with crossed legs. That shit is comfortable."
14. "I like fluffy little animals. Apparently that makes me lose a point on my man card somehow."
15. "Female fashion. Wayyyy cooler than male fashion. I would never wear it, not the cross-dressing type, but I wish I had a girlfriend who would let me buy her cute outfits or something, lol."
16. "I love musicals. I used to hide it when I was younger, but I know all the lyrics to Hairspray and will absolutely sing along when I hear it!"
17. "Crying."
18. "I like going to the mall. I like walking around department stores and looking at all the housewares. I like the candle store, the bookstore. I buy all my clothes at Von Maur. I especially love it around Christmas."
19. "I’m a 6-foot-4 soldier, and I’m a sucker for laying my head in my girl's lap and watching Disney movies."
20. "I don't hide it now, but I did when I was young in the '90s — I was the boy who wanted the Easy-Bake Oven for Christmas instead of army men."
And finally...
21. "I love doing my nails and getting vibrant colors to put on them."
You can read the full thread of responses on Reddit.
Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.