When I joined the firm last summer I was introduced to the team. Three of my colleagues at the time were young thirtysomething men: tall, lean, clean cut, well-groomed.

But something about all three struck me as odd. It was their mannerisms and speech that made me assume they were homosexualists. I was surprised, therefore, to discover from other sources that not only were these three young men straight, but that each had a wife and children. I was not surprised to learn, however, that each man's wife was a pushy blonde bitch.

The experience led me to think more about manliness, masculinity, and what it takes to be a real chap. As I've confided in you before, I've been told that I come across to women as a 'manly' man. I've never asked them to define what this means exactly. But I think I've an idea. For me, an important aspect of manliness is a certain reserve in speech and manner. I can not abide chatty, verbose men making exaggerated gestures. Something about it turns me off and raises my hackles.

One of the young women I'm currently banging is from the East Coast and claims all men (apart from yours truly) in California are--in her words--fruity. I don't know about this, as I've met older gents here who are quite masculine. Perhaps she is referring to the younger guys who have been raised in a feminized culture.

It would be interesting to learn how young men in other parts of the country are perceived. Additional research is required.