Fashion Slaves

Another day of people watching, and as usual I have encountered interesting folk. The first one to catch my eye was a young man, probably in his late teens. Men always grumble about women being slaves to fashion. Personally, I’m not so sure it’s just the women.

Take a look at the men you encounter each day; what do you see? Here’s what I’ll see nine times out of ten. Men over thirty: running shoes, jeans, T-shirt, grey-blue jacket with a yellow reflective stripe, and a baseball cap with logo. Men under thirty: running shoes, sweat pants or jeans, T-shirt and hoodie (hood up) and a skull cap.

Now back to my young man. He was in full uniform all right, all in light cotton. It was a cold damp day with a breeze that could cut through heavier clothing than that. The kid was half frozen and shivering, but he was stylin’. He was cold, hands in pockets, hard shivers, but he was sure to fit in with the men of his age group. The fellas over thirty have it all worked out. Most of those grey-blue jackets are down filled. Warm!

Oh yeah, it is definitely the women who are influenced by the fashion industry and peer pressure.

Later at the coffee shop, I was attracted to another man. Yes, you read it right, I was attracted to him. What made this man a standout? First, he wasn’t in the standard uniform of the men his age, he was dressed like someone from a B-movie. Work boots, green work pants, and black and white striped sweater. He had on a fisherman’s cap as well. The man had to be in his fifties, the lines in his face spoke of weather and laughter, his iron grey hair was cut short, and the salt and pepper beard needed a shave. His features spoke of Eastern Europe, as did the language he was speaking as he talked with his companion. His hands and body spoke of a life of hard physical work.

What I liked best about this man was his energy. He was all male; there was no posturing, no arrogance, no bravado, no leering at women or swaggering into other men’s space, he was just there, all man. Loved the guy. Whoever he was, wherever he goes, I wish him well.

So, have any of you seen someone interesting lately? Tell me.

Before you go, there’s a chapter from my soon to be released book here:

http://www.prudencemacleod.com/p/immortal-tigress.html

Feedback would be appreciated. J