Also it seems kind of weird that given their previously demonstrated ability to pick up on people’s issues, they haven’t twigged to their own roommate’s fixation on avoiding anything that he considers “girly.”
Given that most 18-year-old guys have strong negative associations with being feminine in any way, I’d say Booster had a lot of reason to expect Walky would react badly.
I think booster’s perceptiveness is going to be pretty inconsistent from here on out. It made for a neat Sherlock-y introductory scene but writing around a character who always knows everyone’s motivations and emotional state seems like it would be more work than it’s worth for a comic like this.
It’s a user permissions level thing, not whether they know the technique. (Though Booster and their sister hopefully have a healthier relationship than the Walkertons…)
His sister is being more assertive but not more manly.
This attribute is not inherently masculine, it’s just not commented on or disparaged in men the way it is in women.
Mindsets like this, which associate weakness and passivity to femininity, might actually be why Walky feels threatened by even the mild insinuation that he’s not 100% masculine all day all the time.
TL;DR – It’s misogyny.
Needfuldoer
Look at his parents’ relationship, Linda has Charles wrapped around her little finger. He’s probably afraid of being perceived as ‘weak’, or following that same path himself.
Tan
Sal is more assertive and aggressive, physically stronger, emotionally tougher, and into cooler hobbies. While none of these are inherently the sole realm of masculine, they are all absolutely traits that Walky would get teased for being ‘less manly’ for. Add in how similar the two look, especially growing up before secondary sex characteristics kick in (Note last panel of https://www.dumbingofage.com/2012/comic/book-3/01-if-the-shoes-split/emasculated/ ), and he probably took a lot of crap about it from other kids growing up.
Probably him having a twin sister which may have been an easy target for bullies to call him a girl as a young kid, probably not going to get a proper back story though
Is toxic masculinity really something that needs a backstory to explain? Plenty of guys manage to get this weird about anything remotely “girly” without someone like Sal in their lives.
a/snow/mous/e
^^^
Librain
Por que no los dos?
I mean, it does seem a little excessive for simply toxic masculinity, given he doesn’t really show many other aspects of it at that level of severity (that I’ve noticed at least). A bit of being compared to a female on a near daily basis, heaped on top of a generous serving of toxic masculinity, would absolutely fit.
BBCC
Bear in mind we’re talking about a guy who only owned one pair of shoes and made fun of Joe for having more than that because it was ‘girly’. Keep in mind how he talked about girls early on too. Heck, even Jennifer’s commented on Walky’s gender issues.
thejeff
He’s got gender issues, but he’s also missing a lot of the actual toxic sides of toxic masculinity. He’s weird about anything “girly” (and has some weird ideas about what that includes), but it’s never been attached to any aggression or the other more dangerous aspects.
Chris
There was an article a few years back titled “Masculinity is an Anxiety Disorder”. Walky seems to fit that quite well.
Amias
Isn’t that exactly what we’re seeing here? He’s not trying to hurt anybody, he’s just freaked out that his hair makes him look “feminine” in any way. Walky generally seems to be a very non-aggressive person in this timeline, so it makes sense that his gender issues wouldn’t manifest in outward aggression.
thejeff
Absolutely. I’d just argue that makes them a lot less toxic.
Fist_of_Life
In a fictional comic, no, probably not. In real life though, I’d argue that understanding the “backstory” to a person’s toxic masculinity is invaluable in helping to prevent it from forming in others.
It depends on your philosophy on idiots. Is the siblings ‘being an idiot’ (an action)? If so then a headlock could probably stop it. On the other hand, no amount of headlocks will fix the sibling if the ‘are an idiot’ (a trait).
Kryss LaBryn
If you hold it tight enough for long enough, it will also fix traits. 😛
Reltzik
More of a semantic question, but yes, I meant stops them from being an idiot in terms of actions.
Reltzik
Well, I was intending to emphasize that it DOESN’T stop the sibling administering the headlock from being an idiot.
Eh, I’m pretty sure you don’t have to be walky to be headlocked. Pretty sure a lot of folks would do it if you asked and then, like, insulted their family
Especially since Walky has made it unmistakably clear that he’s not comfortable with this. I’d think that Booster of all people should respect that.
ReverendJ
Maybe we give Booster too much credit.
Stifyn Baker
Given Booster’s earlier behaviour in a lecture, I don’t feel that respect for others is high on their list of priorities…
King Daniel
It wasn’t a lecture, it was a floor meeting that Booster was only at because they were with Joyce when she went to attend the meeting and they wanted to “see Ruth bodyslam someone and then date them”.
I don’t understand why it’s creepy? Like, I’m utterly baffled that this is an issue for anyone
Sirksome
To me it just feels a little sleazy. It sounds like a Joe line. “Delectably feminine”. Like it’s a pretense for trying to bang later. “Feminine charm” reads better to me, but I’ve overanalyzed it now. It will never sound right. Nothing against Booster though. Like I said I think this is just how they talk.
Diner Kinetic
On another level, people tend to like having certain gendered compliments attributed to them, and not ones that don’t miss their self-perception. It’d kind of be like calling early-DoA joyce super manly, she’d probably not react very well?
Leorale
It’s not “feminine” that bothers me, it’s “delectably”. Like they’re gonna eat him, possibly with fava beans.
Women are not foods, Booster.
I don’t think it’s meant to be that creepy, but it’s kind of jarring for me because Booster doesn’t know Walky that well. Personally I don’t quite see them on that friendship level yet. Although maybe this is just how Booster talks? They did call Ruth “fascinating creature” the first night they met.
Demoted Oblivious
^This^ it isn’t meant to be creepy. (frankly I don’t find it creepy at all) Delectably feminine is just describing exactly what’s going on with Walky’s hair. As before Booster is comfortable using vocabulary to be concise. Walky’s hair is exhibiting a slightly more feminine aesthetic (being a little longer and flow-ier). Combined with his already good looks, and yeah “delicious” is probably exactly how Walky looks to the ladies that are all hungering for him.
Bruh, they’re clearly neurodivergent. Big words, not a lot of people skills as the reason they could’ve gotten into psychology? This is clearly a person who wants to connect to others and is very observant but can’t quite bridge the distance because there’s a gap between intellectual analysis and knowing how to socialize.
239 thoughts on “Big manly macho man”
Ana Chronistic
ya’d think Booster would know, also having a twin and all
Bysmerian
Also it seems kind of weird that given their previously demonstrated ability to pick up on people’s issues, they haven’t twigged to their own roommate’s fixation on avoiding anything that he considers “girly.”
Switchchris23
They havent been roommates for very long, maybe a week tops, and I doubt walky spends much time talking to them.
Judas Peckerwood
You’re assuming that Booster didn’t say that intentionally.
Clif
I think they picked up on it just fine. The question is, what was the goal.
Uly
Oh, they knew.
Amias
Given that most 18-year-old guys have strong negative associations with being feminine in any way, I’d say Booster had a lot of reason to expect Walky would react badly.
Mopey
I think booster’s perceptiveness is going to be pretty inconsistent from here on out. It made for a neat Sherlock-y introductory scene but writing around a character who always knows everyone’s motivations and emotional state seems like it would be more work than it’s worth for a comic like this.
I am Nothing
Was Booster’s twin Mike, perchance?
Needfuldoer
Mike was Booster’s Wario.
He Who Abides
I mean, I’m one of triplets and we never did anything like that. Maybe Booster and their sister weren’t into roughhousing.
Needfuldoer
It’s a user permissions level thing, not whether they know the technique. (Though Booster and their sister hopefully have a healthier relationship than the Walkertons…)
Eskeboi
Idk, fam. The walkerton siblings seem to have a pretty good relationship as of late.
Jhon
“Booster’s sister” .. I want to see this developed.
Kyrik Michalowski
Sal, you are the hero we need. If only more people would give you the credit you deserve.
Demoted Oblivious
And panel four. Wow! What a woman! Calm, collected, competent and classy.
Octopus Ink
So, Walky… what’s at the root of your deep-seated masculinity issues?
Mr D
…I’d say that last panel is the ultimate explanation for why Walky feels he needs to be manly as possible, his sister is manlier without even trying.
quixoticmaunster
His sister is being more assertive but not more manly.
This attribute is not inherently masculine, it’s just not commented on or disparaged in men the way it is in women.
Mindsets like this, which associate weakness and passivity to femininity, might actually be why Walky feels threatened by even the mild insinuation that he’s not 100% masculine all day all the time.
TL;DR – It’s misogyny.
Needfuldoer
Look at his parents’ relationship, Linda has Charles wrapped around her little finger. He’s probably afraid of being perceived as ‘weak’, or following that same path himself.
Tan
Sal is more assertive and aggressive, physically stronger, emotionally tougher, and into cooler hobbies. While none of these are inherently the sole realm of masculine, they are all absolutely traits that Walky would get teased for being ‘less manly’ for. Add in how similar the two look, especially growing up before secondary sex characteristics kick in (Note last panel of https://www.dumbingofage.com/2012/comic/book-3/01-if-the-shoes-split/emasculated/ ), and he probably took a lot of crap about it from other kids growing up.
Shitbird
Probably him having a twin sister which may have been an easy target for bullies to call him a girl as a young kid, probably not going to get a proper back story though
James
Is toxic masculinity really something that needs a backstory to explain? Plenty of guys manage to get this weird about anything remotely “girly” without someone like Sal in their lives.
a/snow/mous/e
^^^
Librain
Por que no los dos?
I mean, it does seem a little excessive for simply toxic masculinity, given he doesn’t really show many other aspects of it at that level of severity (that I’ve noticed at least). A bit of being compared to a female on a near daily basis, heaped on top of a generous serving of toxic masculinity, would absolutely fit.
BBCC
Bear in mind we’re talking about a guy who only owned one pair of shoes and made fun of Joe for having more than that because it was ‘girly’. Keep in mind how he talked about girls early on too. Heck, even Jennifer’s commented on Walky’s gender issues.
thejeff
He’s got gender issues, but he’s also missing a lot of the actual toxic sides of toxic masculinity. He’s weird about anything “girly” (and has some weird ideas about what that includes), but it’s never been attached to any aggression or the other more dangerous aspects.
Chris
There was an article a few years back titled “Masculinity is an Anxiety Disorder”. Walky seems to fit that quite well.
Amias
Isn’t that exactly what we’re seeing here? He’s not trying to hurt anybody, he’s just freaked out that his hair makes him look “feminine” in any way. Walky generally seems to be a very non-aggressive person in this timeline, so it makes sense that his gender issues wouldn’t manifest in outward aggression.
thejeff
Absolutely. I’d just argue that makes them a lot less toxic.
Fist_of_Life
In a fictional comic, no, probably not. In real life though, I’d argue that understanding the “backstory” to a person’s toxic masculinity is invaluable in helping to prevent it from forming in others.
BBCC
The sibling way is faster and exclusive, sorry, Booster. XD
Doctor_Who
As a big brother, can confirm this stops siblings from being idiots, but only for a short time.
NotThatDrew
I’ll second this confirmation. Effects last longer depending on how stupid the sibling receiving this treatment was acting
Reltzik
This stops the HEADLOCKED sibling from being an idiot for a short time.
Clif
Does it really?
demonmonkey89
It depends on your philosophy on idiots. Is the siblings ‘being an idiot’ (an action)? If so then a headlock could probably stop it. On the other hand, no amount of headlocks will fix the sibling if the ‘are an idiot’ (a trait).
Kryss LaBryn
If you hold it tight enough for long enough, it will also fix traits. 😛
Reltzik
More of a semantic question, but yes, I meant stops them from being an idiot in terms of actions.
Reltzik
Well, I was intending to emphasize that it DOESN’T stop the sibling administering the headlock from being an idiot.
Deanatay
+1 confirm – esoteric sibling technique. Oddly, my YOUNGER sister had to use this on me.
Leorale
I always like the relatable sibling comix.
Dean
Sal might be holding that headlock for quite a while.
Deanatay
I’ve heard that, for particularly stubborn cases, noogies can accelerate the process.
StClair
Seems to me it’s gonna take a lot more than five seconds to stop Walky being an idiot.
Wizard
I’m thinking more like five years, and that’s the optimistic estimate.
Tawdry Quirks
Given the timescale of this comic, this five seconds *could* last for five years.
He Who Abides
And yet, that’d still be less time spent than The Wotch takes to tell a story.
Cass
Five seconds might be long enough for Dorothy to get there and create a longer distraction.
ADLegend21
God I wish I was Walky
Diner Kinetic
Eh, I’m pretty sure you don’t have to be walky to be headlocked. Pretty sure a lot of folks would do it if you asked and then, like, insulted their family
Mydnyt
It’s the internet. There’s got to be somewhere that sells “headlocks by hot girls”
I am Nothing
Sells?
I may or may not be a hot girl, but I’d do it for free!
Ed Rhodes
Woah! Don’t underestimate your value, there!
Jhon
“headlocks by hot girls” … Google has failed me.
darkgloomie
You wabt to be headlocked by your twin sister who’s much cooler than you are?
I mean, I guess it takes all kinds
Sirksome
Violence against Walky cannot be tolerated! Not even from Sal! Also that “delectably feminine” line from Booster is kinda creepy.
butts
it’s super creepy and i’m honestly baffled that they said it out loud, heard themself say it, then decided it would be a good idea to say it again
Wizard
Especially since Walky has made it unmistakably clear that he’s not comfortable with this. I’d think that Booster of all people should respect that.
ReverendJ
Maybe we give Booster too much credit.
Stifyn Baker
Given Booster’s earlier behaviour in a lecture, I don’t feel that respect for others is high on their list of priorities…
King Daniel
It wasn’t a lecture, it was a floor meeting that Booster was only at because they were with Joyce when she went to attend the meeting and they wanted to “see Ruth bodyslam someone and then date them”.
Fart Captor
I don’t understand why it’s creepy? Like, I’m utterly baffled that this is an issue for anyone
Sirksome
To me it just feels a little sleazy. It sounds like a Joe line. “Delectably feminine”. Like it’s a pretense for trying to bang later. “Feminine charm” reads better to me, but I’ve overanalyzed it now. It will never sound right. Nothing against Booster though. Like I said I think this is just how they talk.
Diner Kinetic
On another level, people tend to like having certain gendered compliments attributed to them, and not ones that don’t miss their self-perception. It’d kind of be like calling early-DoA joyce super manly, she’d probably not react very well?
Leorale
It’s not “feminine” that bothers me, it’s “delectably”. Like they’re gonna eat him, possibly with fava beans.
Women are not foods, Booster.
Sirksome
I don’t think it’s meant to be that creepy, but it’s kind of jarring for me because Booster doesn’t know Walky that well. Personally I don’t quite see them on that friendship level yet. Although maybe this is just how Booster talks? They did call Ruth “fascinating creature” the first night they met.
Demoted Oblivious
^This^ it isn’t meant to be creepy. (frankly I don’t find it creepy at all) Delectably feminine is just describing exactly what’s going on with Walky’s hair. As before Booster is comfortable using vocabulary to be concise. Walky’s hair is exhibiting a slightly more feminine aesthetic (being a little longer and flow-ier). Combined with his already good looks, and yeah “delicious” is probably exactly how Walky looks to the ladies that are all hungering for him.
WanderingLynx
Bruh, they’re clearly neurodivergent. Big words, not a lot of people skills as the reason they could’ve gotten into psychology? This is clearly a person who wants to connect to others and is very observant but can’t quite bridge the distance because there’s a gap between intellectual analysis and knowing how to socialize.
thejeff
It’s not the big words that’s creepy. It’s like calling him “tasty”. Like Sirksome said, that’s a Joe kind of line.
JBento