The New York Times “Sunday Styles” section has an article about how self-consciously “straight men” feel when they have dinner together. They move under a dark cloud of suspicion and fear that other people might think they are gay. Going to dinner in a candle lit restaurant is weird, grabbing a burger at McDonalds is not. Attending a museum opening is suspect, but attending a ball game is not.

Interviews with young professional men in New York, Chicago, and Washington, DC reveal that highly educated guys living in the midst of America’s most “sophisticated” cities have a built in barometer of fear regarding how others might perceive “mandates”. Even dining at home carries rules: grilling a steak is OK, making pasta and salad for another guy is not. Movies are OK….. as long as you have an empty seat betwen you and your friend. Drinking hard liquor and beer together is fine, sharing a bottle of wine is not.

The article is meant to be tongue in cheek, but ultimately it is depressing. The US is alleged to be the most free nation on earth. What does it mean when the most affluent and educated future leaders of our country, carry around the most homophobic and anti-social baggage? Why are these guys policing their behavior and monitoring their activities in public situations?If they are so macho, why are they such people pleasers? To put it politely: they’re squeamish little pussies. Or as Arnold would say, “Girlie men”.

American males should get out of this country a little more and visit places where guys can hang out with guys and not fear it. Perhaps Saudi Arabia, Iran or Cuba would be a good place to start.