Comments on: His name is Robert Paulson

His name is Robert Paulson

cytherea — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:02:15 -0800

The Bra for Boys blossoms in Japan.

By: ColdChef

ColdChef — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:04:25 -0800

It's called the "Bro."

By: ericb

ericb — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:08:06 -0800

Will this thread's discussion become boyzone-y?

By: kuujjuarapik

kuujjuarapik — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:09:03 -0800

Great place to stash a spare house key and whiskey flask.

By: mattbucher

mattbucher — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:09:43 -0800

"I like this tight feeling. It feels good," Wishroom representative Masayuki Tsuchiya told Reuters as he modeled the bra. U R doing it wrong.

By: ericb

ericb — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:10:18 -0800

It's called the "Bro." That's according to Kramer. Frank called it "The Manssiere."

By: KokuRyu

KokuRyu — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:12:37 -0800

This is one of those stupid "only in Japan" stories that gets picked up by a foreign newspaper (in this case, the Guardian) and somehow transmogrifies into fact. Although, to be sure, only tough guys wear pink "Kitty-chan" slippers to the conbini to grab some smokes.

By: Faint of Butt

Faint of Butt — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:13:40 -0800

It looks like they're targeting crossdressers and fetishists, rather than men who might actually want or need chest support. It's always nice to see a retail niche filled well.

By: sjuhawk31

sjuhawk31 — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:17:18 -0800

Judging by the third link, the Vanilla Ice hairstyle is also "in" by the retailer's standards, so there goes all style credibility.

By: boo_radley

boo_radley — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:23:59 -0800

so how do you say "Stop, hammertime!" in Japanese? Thanks in advance.

By: everichon

everichon — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:24:15 -0800

OMG IN JAPAN? THEY HAVE HORSEMEAT FLAVORED BRAS. FOR DUDES.

By: mosk

mosk — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:30:43 -0800

But can you get used ones from a vending machine?

By: FatherDagon

FatherDagon — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:31:28 -0800

Manties. That is all.

By: boo_radley

boo_radley — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:36:03 -0800

everichon: I HEAR THEY ONLY WEAR THEM AT THE ANNUAL PENIS FESTIVAL

By: liza

liza — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:42:40 -0800

this thread totally wins :D

By: freya_lamb

freya_lamb — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:57:01 -0800

Reeves and Mortimer had the target demographic nailed way back in the nineties...

By: ericb

ericb — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:03:14 -0800

That's according to Kramer. Frank called it "The Manssiere." Video: The Bro or Manssiere?

Jerry: So what? A lot of older men have that. Kramer: No. Not these. These were real hooters!

By: Forktine

Forktine — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:08:41 -0800

This is one of those stupid "only in Japan" stories that gets picked up by a foreign newspaper (in this case, the Guardian) and somehow transmogrifies into fact. Having never been to Japan, I've always wondered if this is reciprocal -- are there stupid "only in America" stories in Japanese media, picking up on some really fringe behavior that cements an idea of that country across the Pacific as a place of loony behavior and general wingnuttiness? (Also, I am hopeful that the boy-bra will become the new must-have accessory for the "Fast and Furious" racerboy crowd, along with the special JDM badging and accessories.)

By: Nelson

Nelson — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:08:53 -0800

About Manties, the web site says "They make a great gift for any guy." Too bad father's day is so far away. Maybe Christmas?

By: caution live frogs

caution live frogs — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:34:00 -0800

Forktine wrote "are there stupid 'only in America' stories in Japanese media, picking up on some really fringe behavior that cements an idea of that country across the Pacific as a place of loony behavior and general wingnuttiness?" Um, yeah. Like two posts above this one.

By: rokusan

rokusan — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:40:24 -0800

Or twelve posts below this one.

By: oddman

oddman — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:58:33 -0800

"are there stupid "only in America" stories in Japanese media" I can tell you that there are stupid "only in Florida" stories told around the rest of the US.

By: desjardins

desjardins — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:19:01 -0800

I thought that the appeal of crossdressing was wearing the clothes of the other gender. If these are made for men, wouldn't that take the taboo appeal out of it?

By: zardoz

zardoz — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:31:01 -0800

They sold 300 of these things and it's a big "oooh, look how weird Japan is" story. Come on, 300? That's how many people are in one apartment complex in Tokyo. Most people reading the story won't even notice that number and will assume that every Japanese man they meet is wearing a manbra.

By: planetkyoto

planetkyoto — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:53:57 -0800

You want to know what people in Japan find amusing about America? I've asked. The most commonly cited example of "wacky America" in my investigations is the McDonald's hot coffee lawsuit.

By: jonmc

jonmc — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:55:36 -0800

Maybe teenage boys use it for practice unhooking clasps. I can only assume the women's jockstrap is up next. (also, I have an amusing jockstrap tale to tell. When I was eight, I signed up for little league. i was a ssigned to a team and the coach told us that if we wanted to play catcher (which I did, so I could be like Thurman Munson and wear a cool mask and everything), we'd have to acquire a certain peice of gear. After we were dismissed, I ran full-tilt toward my dad sitting on the alumminum stands with the other parents and hollered "Dad! I need a protective cup!" I still don't think he's forgiven me.)

By: ShameSpiral

ShameSpiral — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:04:33 -0800

zardoz: Come on, 300? That's how many people are in one apartment complex in Tokyo. All these bra-wearing men live in one apartment building? That is weird!

By: dirty lies

dirty lies — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:14:20 -0800

I was rejected from advanced ninja school because the swishing sound my manboobs made while I twirled at Mach 2 through the air would give my position away to the palace guards. I was born too early.

By: Smedleyman

Smedleyman — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:20:45 -0800

The American salesman, a gangly hipster dufus, is still wanted in connection with imprisoning three businessmen in a dresser chest.

By: uncanny hengeman

uncanny hengeman — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:24:12 -0800

The Bra Boys are a semi feared gang in Australia. You probably won't guess how their name is derived. One of their more famous members is in jail in Hawaii for punching a cop. Or maybe he's just got out? A fella in a "Jon Stewart style" culture jamming show recently made fun of them. Which was maybe kind of stupid? And boy aren't they precious, both the lads in the gang and the commentators in the comments section.

By: ericb

ericb — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:33:35 -0800

The American salesman, a gangly hipster dufus, is still wanted in connection with imprisoning three businessmen in a dresser chest. Hey ... it was the hot tub warping the Carl Farbman dresser that was at fault. How could have Kramer known? At least Jerry freed them!

By: dansdata

dansdata — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:23:24 -0800

I love how the Reuters piece tries to wring some drama out of this: But the bra, available in black, pink and white, is not an easy sell for all men. Well, no, because it is specifically made for cross-dressers. When I saw this post I was thinking "what on earth does it DO?", but the answer is of course "nothing, except make you feel pretty, if that's the sort of thing you like". I'm actually surprised that such a product did not already exist - I mean, given that there are about 200 different kinds of assless leather pants, you wouldn't think bras to suit males would be that hard to find. I also like how the news stories are marvelling at 300 bras having been sold. Great Scott - that's about one for every 250,000 men in Japan!

By: odinsdream

odinsdream — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 22:49:03 -0800

Having never been to Japan, I've always wondered if this is reciprocal -- are there stupid "only in America" stories in Japanese media, picking up on some really fringe behavior that cements an idea of that country across the Pacific as a place of loony behavior and general wingnuttiness? I'd assume it would cover things like the freeloader fork and anything else you can buy at a Cracker Barrel.