What Reddit teaches me about men
You've probably heard of Reddit, and for those who haven't: Reddit is a site where users (“redditors”) can post messages that others can respond to, and the responses can receive votes, creating interactive threads. There are also special categories, the so-called “subreddits,” where questions and stories about specific topics are posted. The site, which looks like it's still 1992, truly hurts your eyes it's so ugly, but that doesn't deter people.
In fact, in September of this year, Reddit had 36 million registered accounts and nearly 203 million (!) unique visitors who together viewed 7,866,189,968 pages. I don't even know how to pronounce that last number. My favorite subreddit is “askmen,” where men (and a few women) ask questions to and about men. Due to the enormous number of users the site has, we can say it gives a fairly good picture of what men are concerned with, and those are quite interesting things.
Nice crying
Question: “When was the last time you had a good cry?”
Answers: Ranging from “just now, during a sad movie” to “when my best friend committed suicide.”.
The lesson: Men do cry, and not just during obvious events.
His ex
Question: “What do you say to an ex when you see them in public, or they text you?”
Answers: Ranging from “I say hello and am genuinely interested” to “I say ‘hello’ and then quickly walk away.”.
The lesson: Men, just like women, also don't know how to deal with their ex and feel awkward the moment you see each other again.
Loving
Question: “When did you first say ‘I love you’ to your partner?”
Answers: Ranging from “a week before Valentine's Day” to “shortly after we had unsafe sex.”
The lesson: “Saying ”I love you’ is also a big deal for men (even if unsafe sex is involved).
Women tips
Question: “I’m 17 years old and alone at home. Tomorrow I’m having a woman at my house for the first time. Any tips?”
Answers: Ranging from “Make sure your bathroom isn’t a horror movie” and “make sure you have food” to “get condoms.”.
The lesson: Men (or in this case, boys) are also nervous about a first meeting and can use all the help and tips. And yes, they assume that sex is at least one of the real possibilities.
Dating
Answers: Ranging from “Remind her, but don’t set a new appointment yourself” and “stop whining and just make a new appointment” to “she's dissing you, run while you still can.”.
The lesson: Men are just as insecure when it comes to first dates. What does her message mean? Or what does it mean that she doesn't send a message? By the way, I didn't need Reddit to learn this; I have plenty of male friends who regularly ask me after a first date whether they should text first and why she isn't responding and and and and HOW SHOULD IT BE.
Heartbreak
Question: “What’s your best method for getting over a girl?”
Answers: Ranging from “time, time is the only thing that works” and “drinking a lot” to “delete all her photos, messages, and phone number” and “get into bed with someone else as soon as possible.”.
The lesson: Men also experience heartbreak and don't handle it much differently than women. Just read here.
Personal development
Answers: Ranging from “gain as much life experience as possible” to “realize that everyone has their weaknesses” and “be proud of everything you do.”.
The lesson: Men are sometimes really just like women.
Drunkenness
Question: “Does anyone else see the internet in 3D when you’re drunk?”
Answers: Ranging from “are you sure you had alcohol?” to “No but I did see a text box scroll like the intro to Star Wars when I was on mushrooms once.”.
The lesson: And then they suddenly are just really men again.
