"Metrosexual" Makes its Buzz Word Rounds

by Stephanie E. Lowe
The Parthenon (Marshall U.)

(U-WIRE) HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Metrosexual. It is one of the newest buzz words making its way into society's vocabulary.

Advertisers are among those who already use the word on a daily basis. What does it mean? Are you among many of those on your campus who are left in the dark about this new buzz word?

"Metrosexual is when you have sex on the bus," Jeremy Bevins, a Marshall University junior business management major from Cross Lanes, W. Va., says.

Not quite Jeremy.

"I guess someone who is sexually active with many partners," Tommy Waterworth, a junior graphic design major from Richmond, Va., says.

Sorry Tommy. Nice try, though.

"People who only date people from big cities," Benjamin Poe, a management information systems major from Huntington, W. Va., says.

Interesting thought, but not the right definition, Benjamin.

"People who only have sex in big cities," says Shawn Murnahan, a sophomore undeclared major from Winfield, W. Va.

Not really, Shawn.

The real definition for metrosexual is almost as far off as those definitions from students on campus.

The original definition surfaced in 1994 and is credited to Mark Simpson, a writer for the Web site www.salon.com. Simpson defined metrosexual as a young man with money to spend, living in or within easy reach of a metropolis because it is there that all of the best clubs, gyms and hairdressers are located.

"He might be officially gay, straight or bisexual, but this is utterly immaterial because he has clearly taken himself as his own love object and pleasure as his sexual preference," Simpson said in his article.

Professions that metrosexuals might find themselves involved in include modeling, waiting tables, media, pop music, and even sports.

Like everything does though, the definition of metrosexual has evolved since 1994. Now it finds itself as a new demographic for advertisers to focus on.

It usually includes men with money living in or within access to a big city who care about their clothing, hair and skin. These men buy shampoos other than Head and Shoulders and soaps other than Zest. The men in this demographic like to dress nicely, usually buying name brand designer clothing to suit their needs.

So, what did students on the Marshall campus have to say about this "new" demographic?

"They need to find a new name for it," Bevins says. "The sexual part threw me off. I guess it makes sense."

Poe agrees and says, "Men should be conscious about it. It is OK for men to care about their appearance if they are doing it to feel good but not if they are just trying to impress others. I think hygiene especially is important; you should care for your health."

Not everyone on campus is open to the idea of metrosexual and where it may soon lead advertising.

"Men are feminizing thins we are getting beauty products for men now," Waterworth says. "We are going to have one gant melting pot of one sex. I think it could be the spawn of a high divorce rate where boys are being raised by their mothers, seeing them primp and get ready all of the time."

Clothing stores that were once dominated by female fashions are relasing a men's line. Express for men is one example. They cater their clothing and their advertising directly to this demographic. In a local West Virginia mall, Express for men moved in beside Express for Women.

"This is just a feminization of the male species," Waterworth says. "I like for men to look like men and women to look like women."

Some of the guys on the Marshall campus like the idea, though.

"It is more imporant now than it ever has been; men are starting to care about how they look," Bevins says.