Something had happened earlier today, something that prompted me to make this post.
As a guy (especially in Nigeria), the last thing we want is getting complimented from our fellow male counterpart, majority of us don't like it because it makes us feel gay. Now don't get me wrong, I personally have nothing against the lgbtq community, I'm a big advocate of people doing whatever that makes them happy, as long as their happiness doesn't affect me in any negative way.
But you see, if you're not into men, getting touched inappropriately by your fellow men can be seen as them assaulting you sexually and I believe that's how most of the guys feel over here when they get deep compliments from their fellow guys. And by deep compliments, I mean really nice lengthy compliments about your looks that exceeds the usual "you're looking good today" kinda compliment.
Earlier today on my way to school, a guy that was with his friends had complimented my looks and I had given him a slight smile before going on my way. It was a nice light compliment that didn't make me feel awkward, but getting complimented by him reminded me of something that happened about three years ago.
I had just finished applying my make up which basically was just me getting a clean haircut and had gone to this woman's shop to buy something when a guy who was already there, saw me and complimented my looks. This wasn't the usual "you're looking good" kinda compliment, it was more than that, kinda like the kind of compliment a guy would say to a beautiful lady he sees walking down the street.
Of course I felt a bit embarrassed and a little bit uncomfortable but I still felt good nevertheless because I know that it takes a lot for your fellow guy to compliment you, at least it does over here. But that isn't what today's blog is about, it's more about us guys normalising getting and giving compliments to our fellow guys.
If I thought it made me feel gay back in the day, it no longer does. Of course it takes me a lot of courage to compliment a guy (because I don't know how they would react to it), I still try to do it nevertheless, I just don't do too much.
Telling someone that they look good, especially when it comes from the same gender, gives this kind of confidence that I just can't explain, so as guys, we really should learn to do more of that.
The ladies do it and they don't have any trouble with it, so why can't we?