Men and their irrational obsessions
"A man is nothing but an overgrown child…" — Universally Disgruntled Loved Ones
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Picture this — You are strolling through a mall, aimlessly looking at stores with half-dead eyes, but suddenly, something catches your attention. You rush to the spot, leaving your friend/partner to fend for themselves whilst you inspect your find, check your wallet, and head straight to the cashier. When you come out of the store gleefully with your new Iron Man Mk III figurine or a new pair of headphones, you catch the eyes of your abandoned friend/partner, and you immediately know what they are thinking.
If you have hobbies or interests that you spend on, in terms of both time and money, chances are you had those exact words thrown at you at some point in your life. Everybody spends on what they like right? So why is it that our interests/obsessions land us with the man-child moniker? Well, let's go on this journey of enlightenment together and hope you come out with newfound appreciation for the man-children in your lives.
Where is the root of this obsession you ask? Why, it starts while you can rock shorts and still be considered cute. It starts with that first 'No' your parents bestow upon your request. Some simply let it go, which in hindsight is probably the healthier and more economical option. For the rest of us though, it's simply a waiting game — a time when we are financially independent and no longer require permission — otherwise known as adulthood. While adulthood is nowhere near the fantasy land we hoped it'd be, the only saving grace is now, you can buy that Hotwheels Ferrari, and all your mum can do is shake her head in exasperation.
At no point are we suggesting that women do not share such interests. Absolutely not! There are "offenders" on both sides of the camp, but the difference is they can make very rational financial decisions, whereas we spend without thinking even about tomorrow! Also, there is no such thing as something that EVERY man is "obsessed" with because men are not monolithic. Every human is an individual regardless of their gender and we all have different interests and "obsessions." And so, in 'some' particular order, here are some of the common offenders that fall under our interests.
Cars and bikes
Did you really think an article like this can set off without this being right at the top? Cars, and indeed bikes, call upon our basest of desires, and you will never get a clear answer as to why. This obsession starts early; as early as you can remember even. Be it from observing them out in the real world or actually being in/on them and seeing them being driven, or even looking at pictures of them on posters. For some, it's the exhilaration of speed. For others, the sheer freedom, while some others are drawn to the mechanical aspect of it i.e., the engine, even bestowing upon these inanimate objects a name and a soul.
Collectible hobbies
If you treasure figurines like Iron Man and such, hoard die-cast versions of your favourite cars, or amass just about anything that holds value to you, then you are a bona fide collector. This is possibly the most contentious of all our obsessions because this requires the most explanations and the least understanding. It can be hard to understand why you would want a figure of Optimus Prime from a layman's perspective, but it holds value to you, who rocked out to Stan Bush's "The Touch" in the hit 1986 movie "The Transformers: The Movie," and the emotions surrounding it.
It should be noted that discussing collectibles is like skirting around the rabbit hole because collectibles are such a diverse topic that it deserves a separate article.
Gadgets and Gaming
Perhaps, the most 'socially acceptable' of our interests are in our keen interest in gadgets. Sure, the interest may have been more niche back in the 90s, but now, a person is considered strange and elicits confusion if they do not at least have a smartphone.
For the real tech-nerd though, the smartphone is just the start. They will have nifty things like smartwatches, good wireless earbuds, VR headsets for that virtual life immersion, etc. An offshoot to being a tech-nerd is also being an audiophile i.e., a nerd for all things sound. If you know anyone in this category, do not be surprised if you see them have four different headphones and six different in-ear earbuds, and listen to music on devices that you know as MP3 players, but they will correct your grammar and explain that it is actually called a DAP (digital audio player).
Another offshoot to loving all things tech is the love of computers, and in turn, gaming. Do not assume that anyone who plays Candy Crush is a gamer though; they are just killing time. Real gaming, and hence real gamers, are a whole different breed, so much so that it is now considered a profession, and even a sport worth representing in the Olympics. Everyone's got the genre they love so no one is ever alone in their likes. Plus, online gaming has made the world come closer together. This is one of those obsessions that you can be sure will stick around long after your hair's gone grey and gone the way of the dodo, so it is advisable for loved ones to simply live with it to avoid causing ripples in paradise.
Watches and perfumes
The same kind of emotions that invoke a love of cars and their inner workings also influence a love of clockwork. Be it a simple elegant timepiece, one that showcases its mechanical complexity for all to see, or one that has a rich history; there will always be an admirer who would defend it to the hilt. Most of us cannot afford the ones we truly desire, but it gives us a target to aim for if nothing else.
Similarly, the same kind of desire can explain why some men adore fragrances and make an active hobby of collecting their favourite perfumes. Even the bottles become an object of admiration.
There are plenty more where that came from, but it is safe to say that most men's obsessions tend to gravitate toward the ones mentioned. And to be honest, neither one is cheap, so it is always important to set yourself SOME restrictions, especially those who fall into multiple categories. It is not worth it to score your latest haul if you have to remain a penniless pitiful fool for the rest of the month. Hence, plan wisely, so that while you still have to hear the man-child moniker, at least you will not have to borrow from them to last the rest of the month.
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