Alpha Males: Aye or Nay?

[Scheherazade]

Following the ongoing discussions...

[cacian]

I have just voted and I must confess I do find the word Alpha associated with male of or female quite irritating and that is not wanting tobe rude at all.
If I had to put it into words the closest I got with this expression Alphamale is like saying a macho male.
I might be wrong but that is my understanding of it.

[Alexander III]

I don't get what the pole is asking ?

[Jack of Hearts]

Haha, now this is stupid. Amusing though.






J

[Darcy88]

I believe there is no such thing as a pure alpha male. I am extremely alpha male when in certain situations, like a supreme alpha bragging and flirting and insulting, and then the other half I am extreme beta, a total coward.

I am a beta before my romantic interests, my parents, and, above all, before God.

A man who is only alpha all the time is going to be hated and despised and treated like a leper. Only by juggling both - the alpha and the beta behavioral complexes - can a man be well liked by women, by other men, by everyone.

Its tough to be an alpha male. Its tough keeping up that projection of strength and confidence. I can only do it by submitting before God and the people I love. Especially my parents.

[Emil Miller]

I don't get what the pole is asking ?

I didn't know Scheherazade was Polish.

[papayahed]

I didn't know Scheherazade was Polish.

She makes a mean pierogi!!!

[LitNetIsGreat]

I don't get what it is asking either. Is it asking if you are one (male or female) if you want to date one or if you believe in their existence?

I have just voted and I must confess I do find the word Alpha associated with male of or female quite irritating and that is not wanting tobe rude at all.
If I had to put it into words the closest I got with this expression Alphamale is like saying a macho male.
I might be wrong but that is my understanding of it.

Did you see the link I supplied in the other thread which explained it very simply? I'll post it again below to help other females who struggle with the term and consequently fall at the knees to lines such as "now then love, get your coat, you've pulled" (that's what they say in Barnsley) ...or "are you rich as well as beautiful. I'm only interested in you if you are both." etc, etc.

You might say that an alpha male would get away with those lines, other men wouldn't.

...

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-alpha-male.htm

Quote:
In human societies alpha male can mean very different things. Some use the term to mean the guy who seems most at ease with women and can essentially marry or date any woman of his choice. In this sense the alpha male is often good-looking, has a great build, and may have a relatively high socioeconomic status...

In adult social settings, alpha males again may be judged not so much by aggression, but by their ability to get the most attractive women as mates. This is the primary reason for alpha behavior in other animals...

In work settings, the alpha male may be a natural leader, exuding confidence. But he also may be contentious, demanding and difficult to work with. This is thought to be in part due to the alpha male attempting to retain his stature, however unconsciously, as alpha. Being the top salesperson, the quickest worker, the most aggressive boss may contribute to remaining at the top, and the alpha male has a tendency to respond aggressively to any attempts by others to outshine him.

The alpha male in adult society is likely to be confident, attractive, and wealthy. Questions remain as to whether the alpha male can retain mates, since relationships often require ability to compromise, to discuss feelings and to be sensitive. Some alpha males have these characteristics typically thought of as beta, but many of them lack such traits. You can certainly point to prominent alpha males in our society who seem to have poor track records with women, either involving themselves in a succession of failed relationships or marrying one woman after another, with no marriage lasting for very long.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Haha, now this is stupid. Amusing though.






J

Especially since we can't even define what an alpha-male is or whether or not they exist.

I'm surprised this was made also seeing as how the other thread has created so many personalized comments.

[Darcy88]

An alpha male is a man who is dominant. Einstein was a kind of alpha male. Albert Camus was a kind of alpha male.

What many people define as alpha males are simply physically dominant men. A man can be an alpha male and be of small stature.

Cicero was an alpha male despite his weakness of body and dislike for war. Caesar was alpha for obvious reasons.

Its just dominance. People are mistaking a certain kind of dominance (physical might) for alpha male dominance in general.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Men. Whatever. I'm done participating in these threads, or corresponding with moderators on the forums.

[Paulclem]

I've used the term "bloke-man" before to denote a male who is more manly than men - hairier, more aggressive, dominant, loudmouthed, intolerant, bullying and leader like in an aggressive playground kind of way - or, to put it another way, like the silverback gorilla of the group. They aren't the cleverest, but they can punch pretty hard, so the smaller, more daring loudmouths like myself feel the full force of their ire when, as I invariably did, I took the piss. (That has been, and still is in certain circles, my role - the annoyer).

I have met and been aggressed by these chaps. They certainly exist, but they are not comfortable to be around if you are after a quiet life.

[Revolte]

I have met and been aggressed by these chaps. They certainly exist, but they are not comfortable to be around if you are after a quiet life.

God is that true. It doesn't mean their life is exciting either, it's more like a really bad drama. Everything is melodramatic aside from the protagonist in his/her own eyes where she/he is the peacemaker, the holy figure, the grease of the pizza.


I've known some of those people who are actually fairly bright. But their obsession with proving themselves overruns their ability to analyze. And because they come first, it doesn't matter who they hurt in the process as long as they can feel good about what they think they are seen as.

[cacian]

An alpha male is a man who is dominant. Einstein was a kind of alpha male. Albert Camus was a kind of alpha male.

What many people define as alpha males are simply physically dominant men. A man can be an alpha male and be of small stature.

Cicero was an alpha male despite his weakness of body and dislike for war. Caesar was alpha for obvious reasons.

Its just dominance. People are mistaking a certain kind of dominance (physical might) for alpha male dominance in general.

Hi Darcy and with all due respect to you I find what you state quite intriguing and thank you ellucidating this alpha thing humm it makes me think of Romeo Romeo is that meant for women then haha.
First of all it is interesting and I wonder if Camus would have minded to have been called an alpha male.
I now I would not and I am female.
Dominance is rather pitiful when it comes to control and I see it as a weakness rather then a strength.
I think the true power is in the mind not the physical side of things.

[Scheherazade]

I don't get what the pole is asking ?

I don't get what it is asking either. Is it asking if you are one (male or female) if you want to date one or if you believe in their existence?
.

Was there a confusion in the previous "Aye or Nay?" threads?

Was there ever a question that we were discussing the existence of Sundays, broccoli or TV dinners in those threads?

Especially since we can't even define what an alpha-male is or whether or not they exist.

Oh, I was under the impression that you were dead certain that they did exist as well as considering it "stupid" not to pine after them... So much so that those who claim a dislike for men who show this kind of behaviour must be less than honest.

The poll simply aims to investigate how men and female members of the Forum view the concept of alpha males.

I've used the term "bloke-man" before to denote a male who is more manly than men - hairier, more aggressive, dominant, loudmouthed, intolerant, bullying and leader like in an aggressive playground kind of way - or, to put it another way, like the silverback gorilla of the group. They aren't the cleverest, but they can punch pretty hard, so the smaller, more daring loudmouths like myself feel the full force of their ire when, as I invariably did, I took the piss. (That has been, and still is in certain circles, my role - the annoyer).

I have met and been aggressed by these chaps. They certainly exist, but they are not comfortable to be around if you are after a quiet life.

Thank you, Paul. This pretty much sums up my views as well.

Does anyone really want to take one of those home with them?