I sometimes like to run what I call Experiments In Stupidity. These EIS’s are harmless except to my ego and pride. They yield no scientific data whatsoever, but are often good for a laugh. At least, they make me laugh.
My latest EIS started thusly: I was in my truck after coming back from lunch when I spotted a man emerge from his car with a bag. It wasn’t a backpack, briefcase, or laptop bag. No, this gentleman put a strap over his shoulder and carried a purse as he trundled toward his office. A Man Purse. A Murse. I noticed nothing out of the ordinary that would label him odd or eccentric. He simply preferred his belongings encased in a finely crafted leather handbag rather than what I carry: a black, rugged nylon backpack with rip-stop webbing on which I can hang bandoliers and ammo if necessary.
I’m very comfortable with my masculinity. I’ve long given up on the boy-color/girl-color thing. I love the color pink and wear it often. When I do, people must look at me and think, “There goes a man’s man who is comfortable with his masculinity.” Either that or, “Wow, that’s a big bottle of Pepto-Bismol!”
But am I comfortable enough? Would I still carry myself with the same manly swagger if I were carrying a Murse?
I didn’t know the answer.
Since I couldn’t answer, I decided to test the hypothesis that my manliness wouldn’t take a hit if I carried a purse. It would be a copout to simply stand somewhere publicly and hold one. We’ve all had to do that from time to time for our lady folk. No, I had to model this purse in all its splendor from parking lot, through an entire store and back.
And so we go.
I found there is much more to purse selection than we guys put into picking a wallet. When I pick a wallet, I look for one with three credit card slits, a flap for my license, and copious room for the cash I intend to inherit from a long lost uncle someday. My criteria is only threefold.
It seems that women go through some seventeen decisions of size color, pattern, pocket, strap, buckle, and design before they can narrow the field to three hundred and forty-four potentials. To keep this exercise hidden from my family, I thought I might be able to pick one up on the internet for ten bucks. Think again. Did you know there are purses that wouldn’t hold my wallet but cost $300 and up? I’m done, not buying anything. I decided to scrounge around the house for an unused one. I searched some storage areas and found two: a blue lacy strappy thing and a dark brown leather one that had seen better days. I chose the old one and discretely smuggled it out of the house.
My experiment went off without a hitch. I wish I could detail odd reactions and interactions, but no one seemed to notice. It was fairly anticlimactic. The only conclusion I reached from this EIS is that people are basically oblivious. I did see a funny sight, though – a young woman who must have been wearing high heels for the first time, staggering around like a drunk baby giraffe. I could never wear high heels…
or could I?
A Generous Helping 
Hey…I have another EIS (although for a great cause) one for you: http://www.walkamileinhershoes.org/
That is a great cause. I bookmarked it and will check it out later. Thanks Bob.
i love this experiment and your plan for a future one…..)
There is no plan… Just an open mind
There are some experiments that even I would not try. Like carry a purse. Forget the manly aspect (uh well, at least put it aside from consideration) purses are simply not practical for guys. We don’t have the patience. I don’t even have the patience to wait in a grocery line while a lady rummages through her purse for change or a credit card. Those things belong in pockets.
Women carry purses because their clothes rarely have pockets. And why is that? It is mystery.
I think they have too much stuff for pockets and probably wouldn’t want to look fat. Just a guess. Stan would try it.
Uh yeah, ladies of a certain age range do carry things that probably would not be suited to a pocket.
fun post – love your transparency! by the way – I have been carrying a purse lately while shopping since my wife broke her arm – and after the initial “men-don’t-carry-purses” feeling, I have not given it another thought – actually – that my wife would even trust me with her purse is so cool I don’t even mind carrying it anymore! 🙂 However, not so sure I could wear a pink shirt – I’m afraid I would not do the color justice! 🙂 God bless!
Come to the pink side. It’s just a color! Thanks for reading
Tweezers, pills, Kleenex, wallet, extra car keys, house keys, keys to my kids house (in case I’m in the neighbourhood and they aren’t home), aspirin, my phone, extra lipstick, my book, pens, papers, recent bills, an old bank statement, mini tape measure (you never know), and a credit card holder. That’s why I carry a purse.
Mark, Try the heels along with a pair of panty hose on! It’s hell being a woman! hahahahahahaha!!!
You just never know. The pantyhose make heels harder?
Just let the heels experiment go, Bubba! Takes years of practice and knowing how to fall gracefully 😉
I can fall all on my own. Might leave that one aside.
Good idea!
I once met a guy wearing a long green coat and faux fur scarf with gloves in the end. He looked taken aback when my friends approached him and congratulated him on his fashion sense. I think You’d have to be a bit more outrageous than carrying a murse to get a titter. Pics please 😀
Haha. I would love to meet him. He might be my hero.
I only saw him once, I suspect he’s elusive. Either that or my friends scared him into ‘normal’ clothing.
Thank you my fellow Georgian for that laugh. Please do not attempt the heels. The resulting injuries from that particular EIS would be fairly difficult to explain… 🙂