Boxers V Briefs
Last week I wrote about my new flatmate and the discussions I’ve had with friends about our domestic issues. This led to a conversation whilst having lunch one day about the fact that I sometimes do the washing, which of course means I touch his clothing including his underwear. Strangely enough my male friends were the ones surprised at this; Which led on to a whole conversation about underwear, men’s testicles and how it hangs etc. This intrigued me to look into the whole boxers versus briefs debate. To find what types of undies are worn more, which is more comfortable, and why all the fiddling and playing around down there?
Men’s underwear over time has become as much about fashion as comfort. When I was growing up I only remember my Dad wearing plain briefs, the type you get in a 10 pack at the local Kmart. Only after my Mum went and bought them, because as she said “the arse is hanging out of your undies”. Now we have the whole hip-hop gangster look, where your Calvin Klein (proudly displayed on the thick waistband) underwear is seen above your waistband of your jeans, which hang very loosely down around your knees. And the fact that top designers now have a huge market for underwear tells me that maybe men do care about what they’re wearing underneath. Looking at my flatmate’s underwear (clean of course) I notice he has all brand names including, Calvin, Tommy Hilfiger, Bonds, not a Rio in sight and all briefs. So I did what I always do and surveyed my male friends, they must love getting my texts asking them for personal details I then share with everyone. Of course the answers are all anonymous.
Firstly we need to cover the underwear itself, the types and styles available to men these days. I must say even I was surprised at the variety available.
- Briefs or “tighty whities” – your basic briefs, though now available in more colours and styles including those with the thick elastic waistband and sometimes designers name displayed. Some do have funny pouch things on the front, like a y front with a hole I don’t really get this as it would be easier to just drop your pants to pee then maneuver it through a hole, maybe I’m confused as to it’s use?
- Boxer Briefs (mini boxer) – the tighter fitting or boyleg style boxer.
- Boxers – many colours, materials, patterns and motives to choose from. Can display tragic and/or cute characters and jokes.
- The freeballer – those adventurous men who wear none at all.
There are a few styles that deserve a mention, but may not be as popular for the average Aussie male. - The thong or “g string”, best left to the male models or those participating in the Mardi Gras parade.
- Edible undies – well they have a time and place!
- Bikini briefs – best for tanned, muscular, European men who have a great body but not much of a package.
I surveyed men with ages ranging from 21 to 60. Asking do they prefer boxers or briefs? And why do they adjust themselves all the time, for comfort, to rearrange or pleasure? As always some very amusing answers, but the majority of men wore briefs, mainly for comfort and they offer support or as one put it, “boxers allow for too much movement, can’t concentrate”, and another said, “briefs keeps em in line”. The few that wore boxers mainly chose fitted over loose, again to keep the package under control. Boxers do cover up a lot and leave something to the imagination; you can’t really tell what’s in there. I read somewhere boxers tended to be for the very young or over 60’s who just let it all hang out and briefs, not always the good kind for the 30-60 year olds. I myself love a guy in tight boxer style underwear especially if they have a tight butt.
As for the always touching and moving their package around, all said it was to rearrange and that adjustment is necessary for comfort. Another classic quote, ”you try having 2 teabags between your legs”, and “men adjust for comfort we get bits sticking to each other”. Probably more information than I needed but I asked! The funniest story came from my sister whose partner is a freeballer at all times. Once his underwear fell apart he just never replaced it, he likes the freedom but still occasionally has to readjust. Being a laborer he wears shorts to work and one day on the way home on the train realized his penis was hanging out of a hole in them. Unsure what to do he left it till he got the next stop and could subtly rearrange, very funny and maybe a reason to wear underwear.
Overall briefs seem to be the winner, but it has been said that tight underwear can affect your little swimmers, apparently over heating in that area can slow your sperm down and make it harder to fall pregnant. So if your girlfriend insists you wear boxers, you know why.
Posted in Men's Issues on March 22nd, 2009 by Blog Admin | | 3 Comments
Domestic Bliss
I recently acquired a new male flatmate, (no not the guy in the picture, I wish) who is almost 30, has mostly in adulthood, lived at home with his parents and is also single. Having previously had a female flatmate and not having lived with a man for a while, I wasn’t sure how it would go. However we have been friends for about 4 years so it wasn’t like a total stranger moving in and sharing my very tidy and private sanctuary.
There are pros and cons about having a flatmate, especially of the opposite sex. No more walking to the bathroom naked to have a shower, or sleeping naked with my door open. Ok, so basically no nudity, I really don’t want to scare the guy. I will hang around in my nightie, or not wear a bra if I’m just around the house. We do argue and disagree over issues. To his disgust I burp, which I think is allowed in my own home. He tells me it’s one of the reasons I’m single. I don’t agree it’s not like I’m on a date or with someone I’m trying to impress. But of course it’s ok when he does it because he’s a man.
We also argue about washing up the dishes. I hate doing it but don’t have a dishwasher so it’s a necessary evil. I usually rinse a dish after I’ve used it and leave it to be washed later. Then when I have a few items, I wash up. Now, here’s the disagreement, to rinse or not to rinse. I have come to discover after talking to many friends, that men like to rinse. And I mean after they have washed a glass they will then rinse it separate and put it on the drying rack. I don’t get this! Firstly, it wastes water; we are in a drought you know. Secondly, if you wash it properly and dunk it in the sink before you put it on the rack then it’s clean. My flatmate argues that when we eat off the plates we’re eating soapsuds. Oh please, who ever heard of death by soapsuds! So to fix this problem I leave the washing up for him. Now we’re both happy.
One thing I liked about a female flatmate is getting advice on outfits, hair, makeup etc. I still ask for advice but the answers are not always what I’m looking for. For instance the other night I was wearing a dress out so put on two different shoes to see which went better with the dress. I went in and asked him what he thought of the shoes, and did they match. He replied with “You’re wearing two different shoes, of course they don’t match”. Duh, I explained I meant which one matched the dress, in the end it was neither. Another time I asked him if my dress was see through, I knew I’d get an honest answer here. He told me yes, he could see my panties. God I hate that word it’s so unattractive, it only belongs in porno’s or dirty magazines. After telling him this, I changed into more appropriate underwear!
And of course we have the clothes washing. I’m sorry but men really don’t get the separating thing. One of the first things my mum taught me was you don’t mix whites and colours as it ruins your clothes. He also learnt quickly not to wash towels with your clothes as they end up covered in fluff. Maybe I’m fussy but I also get annoyed at how men hang washing out. To me it needs to be done with precision handling for optimum drying ability. That is, if you bunch it up and shove a peg on it, it will NOT dry quickly. I have re hung the washing when he’s not looking, because of course I didn’t want him to stop doing it.
We do each other’s washing because it saves time and resources. This started a whole discussion at lunch the other day, with a few men thinking this was weird “because we touch each others undies”. This turned into a whole other talk about men’s underwear, penises and free balling. But I will leave that topic for next week! Overall he is tidy, respects my stuff and shares the load. He’s not even bad about putting the toilet seat down. And it’s great to have company after many years of living alone and getting to comfortable in my own little single world!
To my flatmate who will read this, you’re the best washeruperer and I love your company and sorry if I nag you. That should do it!
Posted in Love and Relationships on March 12th, 2009 by Blog Admin | | 1 Comments
New Networking Site- Sassymamas
Hi all, I recently joined a new webste called sassymamas “where women of influence, mumfluence, & blogfluence love to sass!”
This is a new social networking site. It is a “sassy new hangout where netwomen can blog, create, laugh, cry, sell, chat, fave, meet old BFF’s & new, + shop til they drop. Get sassy today, mama”.
Please visit the link below and pass it on!
Posted in Life, Media on March 5th, 2009 by Blog Admin | | 1 Comments
