"Why We Cheat"

[Dick Whitman]

It seems like Esquire runs some version of this story quite a bit. Here's the latest. I find it to be a very cynical view on marriage.

http://www.esquire.com/features/why-we-cheat-0412

More than I believe in the sanctity of union and promise, I believe that everybody cheats. If you have not cheated yet, it's because you are still too grateful to be secure, or you have not yet had the opportunity, or the right color of red hair has not come along and sat down at the bar on a Tuesday when the jukebox was playing Leonard Cohen and your manhattan tasted like the future.

The piece is written by a woman, seemingly an urban, uber-sophisticate. As much as you would think that these types are crawling around every big city if you read Esquire, I spend a lot of my time working alongside younger, often single women, in a big city. I have been married for seven years, together for 11. Not once in that time has a woman that knew I was attached hit on me or even hinted at anything. Not once.

 

[Azrael]

In many ways 'Esquire' is a text of male American passage into manhood. Hence the annual justification of infidelity camouflaged as moral philosophy; the semi-annual advisory on the correct cut and cloth for an Italian suit; and the monthly advice on how to get a close, comfortable shave.

 

[dooley_womack1]

The hell I'd ever be in a bar that played Leonard Cohen.

 

[dixiehack]

Speaking of cheating, I need to follow up and see why my subscription from Christmas never got started.

 

[Azrael]

Not once in that time has a woman that knew I was attached hit on me or even hinted at anything. Not once.

You are wearing the wrong suit/shoes/cologne and drinking the wrong scotch/wine/beer and your shave is insufficiently close. Check next month's issue for further advice.

 

[21]

Once I managed to power through the trite sex cartoons and cheesy cliches, I was left with overwhelming urge to just puke.

 

[dooley_womack1]

But enough about the New Yorker...

 

[Gehrig]

http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/76954/

Dupe?

 

[Azrael]

Lots of great longform writing, and a terrific and important history in literature. But what pays the bills over there is male American aspiration and fantasy.

 

[Dick Whitman]

http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/76954/

Dupe?

Nope. Different story, same theme.

 

[Zeke12]

You know what's hilarious? I mean, other than the gob-smacking dumbness of the whole damn piece.

It's an essay predicated on the idea that everyone cheats.

And then, at the end, she asserts that she's never been cheated on.

Oh, cupcake. I promise you. You have.

 

[cranberry]

You know what's hilarious? I mean, other than the gob-smacking dumbness of the whole damn piece.

It's an essay predicated on the idea that everyone cheats.

And then, at the end, she asserts that she's never been cheated on.

Oh, cupcake. I promise you. You have.

Undoubtedly. As we speak, the guy's probably ripping the Lululemons off one of her upper West Side Pilates class friends.

 

[Boom_70]

In many ways 'Esquire' is a text of male American passage into manhood. Hence the annual justification of infidelity camouflaged as moral philosophy; the semi-annual advisory on the correct cut and cloth for an Italian suit; and the monthly advice on how to get a close, comfortable shave.

***, that might be the most perfect post ever made on SJ. Crisp, pointed, wry and perfectly spelled.

 

[cranberry]

In many ways 'Esquire' is a text of male American passage into manhood. Hence the annual justification of infidelity camouflaged as moral philosophy; the semi-annual advisory on the correct cut and cloth for an Italian suit; and the monthly advice on how to get a close, comfortable shave.

***, that might be the most perfect post ever made on SJ. Crisp, pointed, wry and perfectly spelled.

The part about the close shave is a little dated. These days, the Esquire Man is trying soooo very hard to maintain his pretentiously unpretentious 36-hour growth and carefully mussed hair.

 

[Zeke12]

I would, however, like the recipe for the Manhattan that tastes like the future.

Perhaps we could put it in a screen box with a teaser to the Mad Men preview.

 

[Azrael]

In many ways 'Esquire' is a text of male American passage into manhood. Hence the annual justification of infidelity camouflaged as moral philosophy; the semi-annual advisory on the correct cut and cloth for an Italian suit; and the monthly advice on how to get a close, comfortable shave.

***, that might be the most perfect post ever made on SJ. Crisp, pointed, wry and perfectly spelled.

The part about the close shave is a little dated. These days, the Esquire Man is trying soooo very hard to maintain his pretentiously unpretentious 36-hour growth and carefully mussed hair.

But one must still trim and shave, mustn't one?

One must.

www.esquire.com/style/tips/how-to-grow-a-beard

www.esquire.com/blogs/mens-fashion/gilette-fusion-proglide-styler-review-021412

 

[Dick Whitman]

In many ways 'Esquire' is a text of male American passage into manhood. Hence the annual justification of infidelity camouflaged as moral philosophy; the semi-annual advisory on the correct cut and cloth for an Italian suit; and the monthly advice on how to get a close, comfortable shave.

***, that might be the most perfect post ever made on SJ. Crisp, pointed, wry and perfectly spelled.

The part about the close shave is a little dated. These days, the Esquire Man is trying soooo very hard to maintain his pretentiously unpretentious 36-hour growth and carefully mussed hair.

Um, what year do you think this is? 2010? Get current, man.

 

[Boom_70]

In many ways 'Esquire' is a text of male American passage into manhood. Hence the annual justification of infidelity camouflaged as moral philosophy; the semi-annual advisory on the correct cut and cloth for an Italian suit; and the monthly advice on how to get a close, comfortable shave.

***, that might be the most perfect post ever made on SJ. Crisp, pointed, wry and perfectly spelled.

The part about the close shave is a little dated. These days, the Esquire Man is trying soooo very hard to maintain his pretentiously unpretentious 36-hour growth and carefully mussed hair.

Frank Ridgeway would be lost without Esquire. I wonder if he has switched over to the 36 hour growth.

 

[Lieslntx]

Scruffy up top. Clean shaven below.

It's not rocket science.

 

[proudpittsburgher]

Not necessarily pertaining to the article, but cheating on a spouse has to be the worse thing one could do. No, I haven't been cheated on (that I know of), but I just saw a facebook post from a buddy of mine that pretty much read, "Great f&*&^^&^ birthday present I just got . . . found out wife's been cheating on me since January."

I swear, I would almost rather be offed by my wife than find out she was cheating on me. Living with that has to be tough. And as an earlier poster put, yes, both parties are equally at fault if he/she knew the other person was married. What the **** is wrong with people? If you aren't happy in your marriage, then get out, then move on.