Saturday 20 June 2009

Big Boys Don't Cry



As soon as the Counsellor said those words, I could hear Frankie Valli in my head. I'm of that generation. I know it's really Big Girls but, hey, it's my mind and I'll sing if I want to!

I kept trying not to cry and he kept saying that it was ok and proffering the tissue box. Why don't I want to cry? Or, at least, not let myself in front of a stranger? But then I've always hidden my head in Ruf's chest when I've been telling him about life in my world and things have got too much for me. I can remember the first time I cried in front of him. Big fat tears that just sort of squeezed out of my eyes. I wasn't crying, just leaking... and desperately trying to retain and regain control.

When the Counsellor said that it is ok for big boys to cry, I instantly thought of Ruf, who will weep unashamedly at the sad points in a film, making me want to cuddle him and make much of him for not being afraid to show the softer side of his nature. The Counsellor went on to say that the ones that do cry are not wimps, but the ones who are the most confident in their masculinity. They're hurting but they don't feel that it is a reflection on their manhood to show the tears. They're secure in the knowledge that they can look after themselves if some idiot does point and laugh at this supposed sign of weakness.

He kept saying: 'It's a fallacy that Big Boys don't cry. It's not weak to do so.'

But, for me, it was more than that. It was a loss of control in a public arena. Something that I have been brought up to avoid at all costs. In private, alone and isolated, I can shed the tears, vent the frustration, humiliation, anguish... but not with an audience. I need to keep my composure and not show that I have been hurt.

In the emotional maelstrom that surrounds me, I need to be in control of at least something. In days gone by, it would have been my food intake.

Maybe I should be grateful that the focus this time is on my tears.

But sometimes it all just becomes too much and, despite my best efforts, even the presence of the Counsellor cannot stop my eyes from filling and a few drops overflowing.

5 comments:

BenefitScroungingScum said...

I understand this all too well. You're doing brilliantly though, it takes bravery to change things this way, stay strong lovely
BG x x x

Gorilla Bananas said...

I remember a transsexual saying she/he found it harder to cry after taking male sex hormones, so it might not be purely a cultural thing that stops men from crying.

Kevin Musgrove said...

And yet it seems to be OK to bawl like a baby if it's about football or rugby.

Next time you feel like crying, let it all out and tell yourself you're practising to be a Leeds United fan.

Polar said...

I am like Ruff, in regards to leaky eyes, during films of strong emotions. it can be for Joy, but usually for sorrow. I cannot listen to a Tribute given to any Armed Forces including the Allies, without open weeping for what they have sacrificed, for our world! Does not matter on the street or behind closed doors.

Fat Controller said...

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I often find myself tearing up over the most stupid sentimental things, but fighting it back because I have to be 'the strong one'. Maybe I'll try just letting it go next time and see wht happens.