Walmart.com's "Man Cave" shopping area

[IndyColtsFan]

If you're happy with a man cave more power to you. Personally I don't like the term man cave because regardless of how it really is, is does imply that the man is shoved into a room and the rest of the house has to comply to some code that isn't his.

I think you guys are missing the purpose of a man cave. A man cave is primarily a place for a guy to get away from wife, kids, etc and to be able to indulge in his hobbies without interruption, not some sort of prison inside the house. I've got a ton of computer equipment and gadgets and I need them all in one room. My man cave is decorated in Colts theme (shocking, I know) and has at least 8 computers up and running along with 2 consoles, a plasma TV, a Roku, and a ton of other stuff.

I don't know about the rest of the guys here, but if I want something in another part of the house, it will happen regardless of my wife's initial objections -- the key is to compromise and find a middle ground. The most recent example was a few months ago when I told my wife that I was putting large new speakers in the living room. She argued with me, whined, and tried to change my mind, but I got the new speakers and now she loves them (I did compromise on the speaker cabinet finish). Otherwise, I really have no problem with her decorating the house the way she wants but she does have to ask me first to get my thoughts. For example, we got new countertops a few years back and we compromised on the pattern -- I didn't like what she wanted.

I pay all the bills in this house including my mortgage, so as far as I'm concerned the whole house is my man cave. I do consult my bride to be on most matters concerning the decoration of the house, not because I have to, but because I want to and respect her, but I hold the final veto on it. I just cringe at hearing some couple friends of mine speak of him getting told no like a child and he "can put it in his man cave". It just doesn't feel like an equal relationship to me. Again.. my late night I should turn in disclaimer: If you're happy with how ever your house is run, that's all that matters. Not some random person on the interwebs.

I do agree with you here -- if I don't like something my wife wants or if she doesn't like something I want, we compromise. For example, in the speakers example I gave earlier, I did buy speakers with furniture-grade cabinets so they look much nicer than normal speakers. This helped appease my wife and was a compromise I could live with because I do want my house to look nice.

Otherwise, regarding the name "man cave" -- I actually call my man cave "the computer room" or "my office" but my wife's parents bought me a man cave sign a few years ago and it hangs over the door.

 

[manimal]

My wife hosted a girls weekend and all her old college friends loved our hometheater basement. Three of them have since put them in. I dont need pictures of supermodels on my walls or beer signs.

My wife was skeptical of a few ideas of mine like the home run and networked video throughout the house but she learned a long time ago to let me do the technical things in the house.



We just call it the media room now. 6 networked computers, 120 inch screen, 60 inch screen, two 3d pcs and all the major consoles with steam on the big screen with 700 games installed and media center with 5k + titles + instruments and a easel.
fun for the whole family! Teaching kids multiple instruments down there and the networked computers have helped me teach them music theory and how to read.

 

[nageov3t]

I hate the term... but even living by myself, I like having a room with all my video game stuff, boxes of comics, and all that.

this way, I can leave my living room uncluttered and visitor-friendly. my living room is just couches/chairs, a coffee table, sidebar/liquor cabinet, and bookshelves. and when I'm having a party, I can lock the door and not worry about someone spilling a beer on my desktop computer that I use for work.

 

[Ventanni]

The key is to keep it classy and accessible to everyone in the house. Most women like the same hobbies that men do, like sports, movies, liquor, and heck, even porn. Women also like it when men are men. If you can turn it into an area where friends can enjoy as well, then double win.

 

[lxskllr]

There are a lot of emasculated men in this thread.

I kind of agree. The whole term "man cave" really bothers me. It seems to marketed to douchey males that also own vaginae. There's already words that describe the male space that are accurate, and manly. The study, the workshop, the theatre, the game room... If I'm in a cave, it's outside, and gender neutral....

 

[MrPickins]

When you put on that ring, it is a legal binding that the wife IS the boss, and the papers you sign also dictate she can take anything and everything she wants and leave, if you do not agree with this. Thus, the need for a man cave. I choose not to get married or have a GF controlling my life, so I get the whole house to myself.

Those rings also make you disappear, and make you see scary things. You can get rid of it, but it's a very expensive journey.

This post is full of fail.

Have you ever been in an actual relationship?

 

[brianmanahan]

You're just jealous.

dont you just have a boy cave?

 

[nageov3t]

The key is to keep it classy and accessible to everyone in the house. Most women like the same hobbies that men do, like sports, movies, liquor, and heck, even porn. Women also like it when men are men. If you can turn it into an area where friends can enjoy as well, then double win.

yeah, the implications in a lot of these "man caves" that men and women have completely different hobbies seem weird.

maybe I don't have a proper frame of reference, being gay, but my BF and I share most of the same hobbies/interests (the only big exception being that I'm a gamer and he's not). we've discussed that if/when we move in together, we'd have a "hobby" room where we can each have our own separate desks for whatever (my gaming, his writing) and shared space for shared hobbies.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

I have an office, garage, and shop. Although I don't do anything particularly fun in any of them. Usually some sort of work. I do have my weightlifting equipment in the shop so that can be fun.

 

[fustercluck]

As if anyone who shops at Walmart would want a "Fitness Fanatic" man cave

I approve of Man Caves. I'd have one if I could.

 

[ultimatebob]

I kind of agree. The whole term "man cave" really bothers me. It seems to marketed to douchey males that also own vaginae. There's already words that describe the male space that are accurate, and manly. The study, the workshop, the theatre, the game room... If I'm in a cave, it's outside, and gender neutral....

Trust me... After you change enough poopy diapers while your wife is out shopping, you'll understand the need for a sanctuary from that shit. Literally

 

[iGas]

I would love to have a man cave like the above.

 

[SolMiester]

You must not be married. Most households don't quite work like you think and is not the reason why men have their own space. You'll understand when your married for a while.

^This...Im a smoker, so the man cave is where I smoke and yak with my mates after a week of work along with a selection of this week brews for sampling....also, it a great place to put the big server rather than the office in the house.....oh and I can keep the kids out if I wish!

 

[Fayd]

This post is full of fail.

Have you ever been in an actual relationship?

the post WAS full of fail.

until the lord of the rings reference. then it became awesome.

 

[Svnla]

So there are some interesting stuffs at WM.

 

[MetalMat]

Jim Florentine has a fantastic rant on Man Caves

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bH256GlOeu4

I don't have any issues with men wanting to have a "man cave" but being forced to watch sports in that room because you are scared of your wife is pretty pathetic. Yeah having neon beer signs and rock posters hanging up in the living room aint gonna fly but you can't just give up and let your wife control everything except your little room in the house. It's a joint marriage and a shared living experience so compromises should come from both sides.

 

[Exterous]

Can't stand the term, just makes me picture completely emasculated husbands.

I don't have any issues with men wanting to have a "man cave" but being forced to watch sports in that room because you are scared of your wife is pretty pathetic.

Sure some may use it that way but I think you are over generalizing. Plenty of us have it because we want to have it not because we need to hide\escape or are afraid of our wives.

Also for many dark home theater rooms are synonymous with 'man cave'

Older picture (New HTPC, server and couch not pictured)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v170/exterous/IMG_2043.jpg

 

[nageov3t]

Jim Florentine has a fantastic rant on Man Caves

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bH256GlOeu4

idk, that seems to have less to do with the idea of a mancave than grown men trying to decorate like they live in a dorm room... and he's kind of a dick with the whole "no one over 16 should play video games" thing.

I like the idea of having a semi-private space if I were living in a house with a partner. I'm an introvert; no matter who I'm spending all my time with, sometimes I just want to be alone.

edit: ok... per the podcast, man caves are "homo forts" where men suck eachother's dicks. that must be why I'm such a fan. :thumbsup:

 

[midwestfisherman]

Nothing for the Fisherman? They suck!

 

[Markbnj]

The amount of fail in your post can't accurately be measured with current technology.

-KeithP

Sorry, I have to point out that this could be true whether there was too much, or too little fail.

 

[waggy]

I would love to have a man cave like the above.

oh fuck me too.

 

[darkewaffle]

That's sexist and offends my delicate sensibilities.

 

[Anubis]

I would love to have a man cave like the above.

thats way too fing clean for a shop with no house vac system

 

[BlitzPuppet]

Gentlemen, man caves are a product of a bunch of men having their wives run the house and not allow them to improve their house as they see fit. So these men got stuck in a little room, their man cave, just like a toddler in their play room.

Buying into this man cave bullshit is accepting that women can put men and their interests in a little room off away from where others don't have to see men.

I for instance turned my entire basement into a theater and full bar. I don't have a little room or cave, I have 1500 square feet of win. That's bigger than most of your houses. Man caves should be fought against because they restrict men and make our likes and passions feel dirty.

Put the women back into the kitchen and give them a walk in closet and take back your homes!

Lol, I have my "man cave" because I don't give jack shit about decorating/frilly crap. My girlfriend can have/decorate/clean the other rooms as she sees fit. It really is a whole different world when you enter "my room".

 

[FallenHero]

Man Cave = My room, wife has zero say. She has her room to do the same. The house we talk about but I don't argue with her decoration decisions because honestly, I don't give a fuck. The basement, when we decide to finish it, will be either a theater room or a bar, depending on what we want at the time.