I'm taking a break from my marriage-angst posts... at least for a while until I feel inspired on how to take the next step...
Meanwhile,
Over the last couple of weeks I visited two IKEA stores in two different states doing some post-holiday shopping, and my gaydar was beeping around every display. Is that store a gay-magnet or is it just me? I know my gaydar sixth sense isn't the best, but these couples weren't hard to spot. I found myself envying them as they obviously discussed together the European design potential of this or that piece of furniture fitting into their home. I was even jealous of them being so beautiful and open with each other. I couldn't help but watch three (count them "3") different couples in this mode within one store! They were all the perfectly groomed and attired stereotypical type sponsored by the Bravo network.
Contrast that with also recently visiting CABELLA's (I took my son there), the hunting and fishing extravaganza emporium, where I noticed guys in stereotypical flannel plaided untucked shirts, with 4-day-old gruffy beards. Their "straightness" was just as incredibly blatant. And though I felt inferior and uncomfortable in "their" world of "killing" things, I was drawn to and envious of their masculine beauty.
I know I'm playing off of false stereotypes, but the juxtaposition of these two stores with their two different types of male customers was astonishing - like a slap in the face. I found myself admiring both sets of males. Both were attractive in their own ways... but I then I found myself desiring the two worlds to be combined into one... The straight-macho 4-day-old gruffy bearded guy in the flannel shirt openly gay (despite his straightness appearance) and madly in love with another guy lovingly picking out Scandinavian furniture.
Draper and Lehi just two freeway exits apart, and yet worlds light-years apart. Can't I have it all? :) Does this say something about how confused I really am? Here I should be shopping and admiring the merchandise, but, instead, I find myself admiring the different varieties of the male clientele.
* sigh*
This post makes no sense... just as I and my thoughts make no sense...
10 comments:
Hey, Beck, we’ve been to Cabella’s more often than Ikea. Still, it’s for fishing gear, not for the more manly varieties of outdoors activities, like shooting doves or bears. Besides, my Alan loves the place too.
What’s funny is that my impression of Ikea was that an inordinate number of guys there were wearing BYU paraphernalia. Make of that what you will ;-).
straight-macho 4-day-old gruffy bearded guy in the flannel shirt openly gay
Hmmm, I'm sitting here, wearing a flannel shirt, and shaved this morning for the first time since Sunday. There are probably more gay guys wondering the aisles of Cabella's than you realize :)
Here I should be shopping and admiring the merchandise, but, instead, I find myself admiring the different varieties of the male clientele.
Don't beat yourself up - it's just another form of window shopping. Do you really think straight guys don't admire the female clientèle?
In my neck of the woods I can tell you
* Which grocery store has the cutest checkers
*
oops, pressed 'publish' too soon
In my neck of the woods I can tell you
* Which grocery store has the cutest checkers - Kroger
* Which grocery store sets off my gaydar the most - Central Market
my impression of Ikea was that an inordinate number of guys there were wearing BYU paraphernalia
Well, here in the Mormon queerosphere, we know that being a BYU alumni doesn't exempt you from being in the gay club :)
SCOT and ABE: Stereotypes are never fair, right, or accurate, but they still are. We make judgments made from preconceived notions of what people are by their appearances all the time. (Abe's point of BYU SWEAT SHIRT = STRAIGHT / My assumption that the Cabella rough-n-tough guys weren't gay) I just found the juxtaposition of the two stores interesting.
Abe said: "There are probably more gay guys wandering the aisles of Cabella's than you realize..." You wish!
I agree we shouldn't judge and label from stereotypes, but I like to look and view the "other" merchanise just the same... :)
Ah, Beck, I wasn’t complaining.
“My assumption that the Cabella rough-n-tough guys weren't gay”
Maybe, you just haven’t gone camping enough ;-).
There’s a thing in the gay community called a bear, and he's not the swiping pic-i-nic baskets sort.
SCOT: I'm getting too serious over a frivolous light-hearted post. Thanks for not taking me too seriously as well.
I often go to Cabela's with my friend and we head straight upstairs to the home furnishings area.
As beautiful as his home is he decorates one of the bedrooms with wildlife things. I've never felt awkward in Cabela's, two obvious gay men.
I find that people, mormons in particular, are WAY more accepting than they're given credit for.
Howard said: I find that people, mormons in particular, are WAY more accepting than they're given credit for.
I have found many that are, but they are less vocal about it and allow the more unaccepting in the bunch to be the ones that get heard.
Thanks for the comment and welcome to my blog.
I have found many that are, but they are less vocal about it and allow the more unaccepting in the bunch to be the ones that get heard.
Years ago they used to talk about the "silent majority". I think that term fits here.
So considering I've never been in either store (and live in Lehi even)...does that make me bi?
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