Column: Thanks for Listening, by Scott Schmeltzer

Father’s Day is coming up on Sunday, June 16.

So I guess it is time to man up. “Man up” has been a popular saying for the last few years. I am pretty sure it has emerged from the American football field, where it was originally referred to as a man-to-man defense.

Another part of the motto could have come from the rodeo saying, “cowboy up.” This was meant to signal the cowboy to mount the top of the bull. However it came to be, “man up” means to be tough, strong and sturdy.

So with “man up” as our theme here are a few manly things:

 

Man movies:

1. “The Godfather” and Godfather 2”

2. “Cool Hand Luke”

3. “The Shootist”

4. “Dirty Harry”

5. “12 Angry Men”

6. “Gladiator”

7. “Tombstone”

8. “To Kill a Mockingbird”

9. “Fight Club”

10. “From Here to Eternity”

11. “The Searchers”

12. “Braveheart”

13. “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.”

14. “Slapshot.”

15. “Bull Durham.”

16. “Caddyshack.”

17. “On The Waterfront.”

18. “The Dirty Dozen.”

19. “Old Yeller.”

20. “Field Of Dreams.”

Man books:

1. Bible

2. “The Old Man and the Sea” by Ernest Hemingway

3. “Lonesome Dove” by Larry McMurtry

4. “Red Badge of Courage” by Stephen Crane

5. “The Glory of their Times” by Lawrence S. Ritter

6. “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho

7. “Freakonomics” by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner

8. “The River Of Doubt” by Candice Millard

9. “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch

10. Any book by Malcolm Gladwell

 

Man stuff men

need to know:

1. How to change your oil and other basic car maintenance (change a tire, use jumper cables).

2. How to skin a deer.

3. How to safely shoot a firearm.

4. How to attend a live baseball game, have a beer and eat a bratwurst with lots of stuff on it! (Repeat for football and hockey)

5. How to barbecue.

6. How to drive a stick.

7. How to wear cologne. (Do not ever use a quarter of the bottle at once.)

8. Golf.

9. How to resist an urge to drive while you are intoxicated.

10. Hang a flag on Flag Day, Fourth of July, Memorial Day and Veterans Day in remembrance of all the men and women who gave their lives for us.

11. Kill the spider.

12. How to tie a tie.

13. How to do laundry.

14. How to listen.

15. How to sew a button.

16. How to iron.

17. How to play poker.

18. How to make a bed.

19. How to change a diaper.

20. How to perform CPR.

21. How to wash the dishes.

22. How to give to a charitable cause.

23. How to buy a great present.

24. How to drink Scotch and whiskey.

25. How to choose a bottle of wine.

And of course, how not to ever start a fight but to be proficient at ending one.

 

How a man should treat a lady:

1. Open doors.

2. Pay for the date. Every date!

3. Don’t be cheap!

4. Send flowers.

5. Ask her about herself.

6. Notice the little things.

7. The little things are: hair, nails, shoes, makeup, purse and new outfits.

8. Laugh with her.

9. Leave her notes.

10. Tell her she’s beautiful.

 

How a man becomes a good father:

1. Love unconditionally.

2. Respect the mother of your child. In an era of 50 percent divorce rates, respecting the mother of your child is important. If divorce happens, you still are a father and should always respect the gift that you were given — a son or a daughter — and who gave that gift to you. Remember your child is an absolute miracle and the best gift of all time.

3. Protect your child.

4. Take an active part in their life.

5. Help and hold them during the hard times.

6. Praise and laugh with them during the good times.

7. Make sure they can always count on you — emotionally and financially.

8. Discipline when needed.

9. Teach them integrity and honesty.

10. Love them some more.

Please remember the man in your life on Father’s Day.

Happy Father’s Day, Dad. I love you.

 

Tribune Publisher Scott Schmeltzer’s column appears every Thursday.