Book Clubs and Men

[tonywalt]

I just joined a book club on the islands. It's sort of one of the more public clubs and we meet in the largest bookstore in Cayman.

There's only one other guy in the club. There's a word for how I feel in that environment - Effete.

I wore my rugby kit for the last meeting, as practice was before the book meeting and to my horror a couple teamates saw me in the bookstore (the meetings are during store hours) at the meeting. The kidding was good natured and they mean well, but it's a definate uncool vibe to the whole thing.

And before anyone says who cares what people think! I do! A lot! I gotta live in the world. No big deal, I am half smiling about all the ribbing I will get at the rugby dinner!! oy vey!

I'm not quitting though. F 'um.

[Delta40]

Well effette man you gotta do what you think is best for you. Personally I wouldn't give a hoot but you do. Why not challenge your mates to join?

[tonywalt]

I would be happy to invite them. They read Maxim on a religious basis.

The only book I have seen in my time with the club has been the autobiography of Norman Schwarzkopf. I think it got destroyed during a lager soaked food fight after a game with a British Naval vessel. It was used as a projectile.

[Venerable Bede]

As a dude, I can totally understand where you're coming from. There really isn't anything wrong with guy at a book club, but I would definitely be a little embarrassed to go to one. I would go to one anyway, but I'd probably hide it from certain people ;).

[Paulclem]

I've been in similar situations myself as a former Rugby Player. My mate and I were the college kids - purportedly intelligent - when we played with young miners from Castleford and Pontefract. In fact I liked it. It meant I wasn't just one thing - neither a meathead nor "effete".

I had a similar experience as a Hod carrier when I worked on a building site when I was a student. I would read Doris Lessing's The golden Notebook in preparation for the new term whilst all about me was editions of The Sun. They didn't know what to make of me just as the Middle class people who I work with now don't always get me. Funnily enough I was talking to one of these female colleagues last week, and she was really surprised that I liked - and had just got - Jackass 3. I'd also got Dostoyevsky in my bag. Now if she had any knowledge of male teams, rugby, male humour and how males are with each other etc then she would know why I like jackass.

Keep on going to the bookclub. (I remember a previous thread of yours about meeting intelligent women) - it might be a good strategy. Being a bit different can't do you any harm - if you can take the ribbing. :lol:

[tonywalt]

You are right Bede. I do hide it, only because I get 'stick' about it. It's that simple. The damned meeting is in the middle of the biggest bookstore, so I will be outed.

Just to put an extra little thorn in my saddle, the author of the month is Virginia Woolf. Whose afraid of Virginia Woolf? ME!

Anyway, I've got to finish reading "To the Lighthouse" today then I will be hitting the gym. Booyaaa.

[Paulclem]

The contrast's great though isn't it?

[tonywalt]

It is. I have elected not to bring my Virginia Woolf book to read between sets:drool5:

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

I openly admit going to the symphony, listening to classical music (I DO NOT turn it off when friends are in my care, even if it's something super-gay like a Chopin piano concerto), and going to the opera. At this point, I doubt being in a book club would bother me. I'll never go to the ballet, though. NEVER!

[OrphanPip]

I openly admit going to the symphony, listening to classical music (I DO NOT turn it off when friends are in my care, even if it's something super-gay like a Chopin piano concerto), and going to the opera. At this point, I doubt being in a book club would bother me. I'll never go to the ballet, though. NEVER!

I do all those things too, but I also sleep with men, so I think I win.

[Paulclem]

My Mate went to an Opera in order to educate himself about them. he went to an English rendition of some famous Opera. He was scathing, frankly. He laughed at the absurdity of them singing repeated mundanities - I'm going through the gate, yes i'm going through the gate, through the gate etc etc and left at half time satisfied that it was actually crap. I didn't need to go. I can't stand their voices. Shrill.

[tonywalt]

Orphan,

The only other guy in the club is gay and seemingly a huge fan of both Woolf and Austen! Eh, matters not. It's tough reading for a guy. Woolf reminds me of Proust. Better than Proust though!

I will have to muscle this club into more masculine material. Joking. Kind of joking.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

I do all those things too, but I also sleep with men, so I think I win.
:lol:

[Buh4Bee]

You know what, I think that this is a very cool thing to do. I mean, it's like dating a fat chick, right? You are into this or are trying to expand you're horizons (cough) and meet a woman so you have to pay the price. It's a drag, but so what?

How was the meeting? Where the ladies nice?

[tonywalt]

Jersea,

The meeting went well! The women are good! I just rather not be exposed. I'd rather a pre-Stonewall club (seeeeee orphanpip, I am up on gay history).

Yes, I prefer darkened windows, whispers at the door, ushered in, strong drink....

I have been Outed:svengo:

[Buh4Bee]

So funny. Well, sounds like you like it and have a sense of humor about it. As long as the books are good, you don't have to get too involved, if that is what you prefer.

I am in a book club with a bunch of older ladies. They are very bright and very kind. It is a safe environment in which everyone can share their ideas. The only problem is that they are all shrinks, so they have to analyze everyone and everything. I try to stick to the books and not get into all the personal stuff. I live with these people and go to church with them. So, I can understand that you care what people think, I do get that.

[BienvenuJDC]

I started my own Facebook Book Club. Of 29 members there are three other guys, and one of them is only there because I added him. And for the record, I love to watch ballet. And not just because the women are easy on the eyes (but I cannot deny that).

[Delta40]

I admire you for sticking to your guns and not letting being outed deter you completely!!

[JuniperWoolf]

Just to put an extra little thorn in my saddle, the author of the month is Virginia Woolf. Whose afraid of Virginia Woolf? ME!

Chicken. To hell with societal conventions! Blaze the trail, and other such inspiring cliche's! Hoo-rah!

P.S., in relation to your earlier thread, I as a female find it more attractive that you're in a book club than that you are a rugby player. For the record.

[Calidore]

Chicken. To hell with societal conventions! Blaze the trail, and other such inspiring cliche's! Hoo-rah!

P.S., in relation to your earlier thread, I as a female find it more attractive that you're in a book club than that you are a rugby player. For the record.

I remember at an Altan concert once, there were several girls dancing in front of the stage, plus one boy. He's no dummy, I thought. He may get razzed, but he has no competition for a bunch of cute girls who know he has an interest in common with them.

So what's more important to you--what the hot, brainy club girls think, or what your jealous teammates think?

And wearing your rugby uniform to the meetings should establish your manly cred just fine anyway.

[tonywalt]

Chicken. To hell with societal conventions! Blaze the trail, and other such inspiring cliche's! Hoo-rah!

P.S., in relation to your earlier thread, I as a female find it more attractive that you're in a book club than that you are a rugby player. For the record.

Uuum, as a male, I pay a lot of attention to what women do, and a bit less to what they say.

They are more into to Tony the rugby player. But, I can do it either way for the record.....

[JuniperWoolf]

Naaah, rugby is lame. I'd give a hockey player the time of day, though.

[Alexander III]

I do all those things too, but I also sleep with men, so I think I win.

I do all the things that Mutis does. Also I sleep with men and women.Boom. I think I just won the internet.

Unless someone on this site is a welsh farmer, I think my crown is safe :brow:

[Buh4Bee]

Actually, the rugby play and the repressed geek thing may really work to his advantage.

[Rores28]

Honestly I think the thing that makes you seem most "effete" is the fact that your fretting over dudes seeing you go to a book club. Your friends are gonna bust ur **** of course (what kinda friends would they be if they didn't) but none of them really care.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if a few of them aren't a bit jealous of your ability to appreciate literature, or any higher art for that matter.

[mal4mac]

Blimey, you really need some mind opening literature if you are worried about your mates seeing you in a bookclub. Try 'The Naked Civil Servant' or any war novel (Birdsong, Catch 22, ...) to encounter men who had *real* problems rather than silly ones...

[tonywalt]

Naaah, rugby is lame. I'd give a hockey player the time of day, though.

I'll send you a clip of our rugby match, you would like it. Plus, it's a bit warm in the Caribbean for hockey.

[tonywalt]

Blimey, you really need some mind opening literature if you are worried about your mates seeing you in a bookclub. Try 'The Naked Civil Servant' or any war novel (Birdsong, Catch 22, ...) to encounter men who had *real* problems rather than silly ones...

It's the silly problems that cause the most problems though....:)

[Joely B]

Rugby players reading books?

Get out, this is clearly a troll.

[tonywalt]

It's worse. I've got 14 versions of Ave Maria on my Ipod.

[JuniperWoolf]

Plus, it's a bit warm in the Caribbean for hockey.

Haha, good point.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Naaah, rugby is lame. I'd give a hockey player the time of day, though.
Being Canadian, do you have a choice?