Reddit thread reveals surprising things men would do if they weren't afraid of being 'feminine'

What would men do if gender norms did not exist? The answers are surprisingly wholesome.

A recent Reddit thread asked: "Men of Reddit; what thing would you do if it wasn't so 'feminine' or socially 'unacceptable'?" In the three days since the question was asked, over 9000 comments have been posted. Here are some of the top responses.

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1. Wear perfume

"It's a really simple thing, but girls just f**king smell good. When they come out of the bathroom after showering and freshening up, it smells like someone knocked over a jar full of polka dots or something. They're all flowery and fruity and sweet. I wish I could smell like a flowerbed all the time without getting judged."

2. Take up crafting

"I'd knit so hard, bro."

3. Wear leggings

"If I didn't have a penis I would only wear yoga pants."

4. Teach preschool

"I had a way with young kids and really enjoyed seeing them make connections for the first time almost every single day. I just hated the first few months of the school year where parents were on high alert with me. I understood why, having been a parent, but it was why I moved up to older kids."

5. Sit cross-legged

"In high school I wouldn't sit in a chair with one leg crossed over the other because I would get comments. 'Doesn't that hurt?' 'That looks gay' etc.

"Now I sit like that all the time. It's comfortable and I've seen many older men whom I respect sit that way. It makes me feel a touch distinguished for some reason."

6. Cry

"Cry... it's hard to keep things bottled up all the time."

7. Wear concealer

"I feel bad for teen boys who have been told they can't put some (medicated) cover up on those zits, but girls can. Not fair."

8. Order sweet drinks

"I went to a New Years party where all they had was fruity drinks, and my man it was the most delicious s--- that has ever graced my taste buds.

"But uuh, I'll have a whisky please!"

9. Wear dresses and skirts

"Sundresses, man. When it's hot as s--- outside those things look like heaven."

10. Carry a handbag

"Carry a man purse. I hate things in my pockets."

Fairfax Media