It’s getting more complicated to be a man it seems.

Back in the old days, being a man involved growing out your beard, and smiling at the closest lady.

Before bopping them over the head with a club and living happily ever after, that is. At least that’s what watching The Flintstone’s taught us.

What do you mean life isn’t a cartoon? So, yeah, maybe being a man was always a little more complicated.

Either way, there are definitely man rules. Follow the man rules and your life can be simple, easy, and well, as fun as a cartoon.

Break the rules and you may the one who ends up getting bopped in the head. Or you could get bopped with something even worse.

Not sure on the latest set of man rules? Not even sure if the man rules allow for referencing children’s shows in an intro?

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We may even throw in a movie reference or two to keep things clear.

It’s important. Whatever you do, don’t break the man rules.

Let’s keep your man rule status safe:

1. Don’t Talk About Man Rules

You probably know all the rules from The Wedding Crashers by heart.

But you’re still working on a set of man rules to follow. There may be time for you yet.

Still, before you get too far, know one thing: This is confidential information.

Man rules are like Fight Club.

The first rule is:

Don’t talk about man rules.

Sure, you can read about them and study them, but these rules are not meant to be shouted across a crowded bar at your friend:

“Hey, you’re violating man rules man!”

Stop it. Shut up.

You are not the hall monitor of man rules.

Forward this list to a friend if you need to. Whisper them in confidence to your dad if you need to check a few.

But don’t quote, spew, shout, scream, or teach man rules.

Rule #1 is no one made you a member of the Man Rule Police Department. So stop.

It’s not polite.

2. Be Polite

Make that, don’t talk about these rules for men, please.

Men show respect. Boys are idiots.

Ask any woman what turns them on and they’ll explain saying please and thank you goes a long way.

While holding a door may be close to taboo at this point, there’s plenty you can do to stay polite and be in agreement with man rules.

3. Keep The Spotting To A Minimum, Please

Man rule regarding gym time: Keep the spotting to a minimum.

If you and your buddies are headed to the gym to get in a great workout and maybe even meet some girls, a great spot can boost your workout.

A bad spot can violate man code.

There’s just too much bending and holding and flexing and mirrors.

Only spot when it’s absolutely necessary. Irresponsible spotting at the gym ruins lives.

But good man rules save.

4. Cover Backs

“I’m not going.”

“So don’t go.”

“I’m not going.”

“Let me tell you something. If you’re not out there in 2 #%$*ing seconds when I’m done with them, you’re next.”

Man code demands you cover the backs of your friends. You’re in their corner.

You’re Mickey in Rocky I and II. You’re Apollo Creed in Rocky III.

And you’re Rocky in Rocky IV.

It’s simple Rocky math.

Supporting your friends doesn’t just mean jumping into fights. In fact, real man code means avoiding as many fights as possible.

But you also need to support your friends any way you can.

That’s what real men do.

5. Choose Your Associates Wisely

Since you have to cover backs and support your boys when it comes to man rules it means you need to pick your friends wisely.

But your friends can also lead you to better things. Or worse ones.

A wise man once said, “A man is judged by the company he keeps.”

And the company we keep helps decide how we live our lives.

Good Friends Lead To A Great Life

Need proof how important friends are?

Researchers have discovered that people with a large network of friends outlived others by 22%. The health benefits of friendship also include:

• Friendships help ward off depression
• Friendships help boost immunity
• Losing your idiot friends mean fewer fights and less embarrassment

Okay, so we added that last one. Loyalty is an art that true men can practice.

Don’t ditch your brothers. But make sure you have the right friends.

The wrong ones can lead to trouble.

Avoid Stupid Stuff

Your friends can help you resist temptation, or increase your chances of making stupid choices. Whether it’s binging on crap food or going home with the wrong person, a bad set of friends can encourage you to make foolish choices.

Acting a fool is never a part of any man handbook. Choose wisely.

You want a group of friends who will help you live longer and enjoy life.

If you find yourself in situations constantly filled with drama and turmoil you may want to think about the people you surround yourself with.

Not only should your friends make your life better, the right friends should also help you look great. What else are friends for?

6. Dress Your Best

Ever see a bro out on a date with a beautiful lady? She’s wearing a sundress and heels, is a perfect 10, and has a face like an angel?

He’s wearing a t-shirt and jeans. Don’t be a bro, be a man.

Dress like Danny Ocean, not Ted Nugent. Just look what Danny and his friends accomplished.

They broke the bank.

7. Don’t Be Cheap

Choosing a great group of friends wisely may help you raise your fashion game.

Having a lot of good friends won’t just help in a scrap either. It will help your financial self-control.

You’ll take fewer risks with money, sure. But the biggest risk with money is violating Man Rule #7:

Don’t be cheap.

Too many bros are spouting about how many dollars and cars they have. When the check comes they have those infamous alligator arms.

Tip well, pay your fair share and don’t be cheap.

You should always give respect. It will help you learn to respect man rules too.

8. Give Respect

Tipping and paying your share shows your respect to service workers, your friends, and the people around you.

Real men extend that respect to everyone around them. Real men respect the world.

It’s a complicated time to be alive. With gender identity, issues of politics and religion and race, many men are wondering about their place in it all.

This confusion leads bros to put down, make fun of, or demean people and issues they don’t understand.

Or, even if they do understand the issues, some boys scream about politics and religion rather than being respectful.

Don’t be a boy. Be a man.

That’s a man rule.

Have a beard, feel badass, and want to change the world?

Then be like Abraham Lincoln.

He said, “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.”

Sometimes giving respect means keeping your mouth shut.

9. Keep Your Mouth Shut

Don’t be a rat.

You don’t just need to keep quiet about the rules of being a man.

You need to learn to keep your mouth shut in general.

There’s no description of a man that includes “The strong chatty type.” Remember that.

Also, remember that you can’t be a rat. Keep your friend’s secrets in confidence.

Don’t share stupid stories about them in front of other women. Don’t let it slip about their affair to anyone.

Keep your mouth shut. If the 1,000 times you’ve watched The Departed taught you anything, it’s not to be a rat.

Be Matt Damon in Good Will Hunting. Do not be Matt Damon in The Departed.

10. Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously

We hate rules. They seem so serious.

Man rules are essential for the best life. They’ll help your friendships, romances, and work.

Don’t take yourself so seriously, though. A man can laugh at himself.

Many women say a sense of humor is one of the most attractive qualities a man can have. So quote cartoons, throw out movie references, and smile.

Just don’t break the man rules.

Get busy laughing at yourself from time to time too. The people around you just might laugh along.

They’ll be laughing with you, not at you. Not taking yourself too seriously is an essential man rule.

Master the man rules and you master your life.

Master the Rules

Whew, that was close. But now that you got the man rules down you should be golden.

Break them and you’ll have some lonely nights. And by some, we mean all.

Know the rules, and you know you’ll even be attracting the ladies too.

Are you still not sure what to do after you get them home, though?

There are rules for one-night stands too, you know.

We Have All the Rules

Beyond the basic rules for me, there’s a rule for every situation. And we can help.

That’s what we do at GentLifestyle. We help men live their best life yet.

There’s nothing better than getting lucky. There’s nothing worse than botching a beautiful night once you get there.

Wondering if you should stay or should you go? Click here and we’ll fill you in on the tips for enjoying a one-night stand like a gentleman. 

The post Top 10 Man Rules That Guys Can Never Break appeared first on GentLifestyle.