becoming a real man....

In my observation of this species it is not as difficult as you think, bond with some friends, perhaps take the tack of being stoic, have a pocket full of statements which suit your agenda and continue calmly.

'I am quiet because, I think a lot, I find it gives me clarity'

Or some suitable colloquial derivative perhaps.

The rest stems from there, No-one really hates a 'nice quiet guy' unless he does wrong.
In fact, some of the best idols in the lives of many surprise by thier apparent immunity, just dont let the****ards get you down, there are reams of them everywhere, it hits everyone the same way some days.

yeah im already a quiet nice guy with very few enemies. a lot of people around me like me, so I don't have to many low lives to deal with. I'll take what you said to heart. thanks.

Cornell, there used to be an expression "Real men don't eat quiche". You may be too young to remember that phase we went through, but it was a bare faced lie.

Real men eat exactly what we want to eat.

Sorry I cannot really help with the complexities, I am not 'normal' as you would appreciate to be yourself.

I will say it again...
Punchbags and bodily accuracy give confidence in the bucket load.
(this can be a bad thing at certain times of your life, stoic tolerance can be broken by certain factors I will not go into)

yea you right about that for sure.

its cool

A well-loved (now deceased) member had a favorite poignant phrase:
"Hold your dominion."

Be non-judgemental (within reason) and slow to anger at others, but be resolved once you make up your mind about something. Try to give others the benefit of the doubt, but don't always assume others will do that for you.

Be loyal to those you have deemed worthy of trust. Along with that, try not speak ill of others, particularly in public and especially so, NEVER do so at work.

Analyze conflicts and try to see them (after you cool off) at the worst as being neutral (where possible) as opposed to taking them personally.

Realize that you'll benefit more from understanding your failures than you will ever learn from your successes.

thanks Man....I like that