What is a Bear? (Public Post)

[thatfatboy]

Background:Sometimes when the discussion turns to those things "bear" related with those not in the know, sometimes it is a good idea to give a general broad definition of what a "bear" is to me. Normally, what I tell folks is that a "Bear" is a member of a gay subculture (Bear Community) that tends to have the physical characteristics of a

Comments

what is a bear?

[fuzzywuzzycub]

Common characteristics of bears include a short tail, acute senses of smell and hearing, five non-retractable claws per paw, and long, dense, shaggy fur.

Bears have large bodies and powerful limbs. They are capable of standing up on their hind legs. They have broad paws, long snouts, and round ears. Their teeth are bared for defense and used as tools, depending on the diet of the bear. Their claws are used for ripping, digging, and catching. Black bears, and likely other bears, have color vision

:P

Re: what is a bear?

[thatfatboy]

Explain to me why I shouldn't knock you down, sit on your face and cut a fart in your mouth again?

Oh, cause you are so adorible.

Besides, I kind of figured I was going to get that response sometime.

Re: what is a bear?

[ncsapphirebear]

"why I shouldn't knock you down, sit on your face and cut a fart in your mouth" That would be a classic example of Furzendebarenfreude, awesome!

Re: what is a bear?

[fuzzywuzzycub]

you sort of had to figure you'd get that response.. it's a given anymore *shrug*
and what's this again?? :P

[anonymous]

when i think of a bear, i think of a more average guy, with a belly,broed shoulders, furry, not interested in spending hours in a gym or waxing things. being fat or having a beard does not a bear make. being extremely obese is not healthy... and being unhealthy is not sexy!

[bobo_dreams]

To be honest, being an "average guy" isn't all that healthy nowdays, either. It all depends on how you live your life.

[thatfatboy]

Granted, I will say that being this big is how I have always been. I have never been and never will be skinny, and that is pretty much something I have decided long ago (and never to walk in anyone's shadow)... Can't really help my size. I am working on loosing weight for health reasons, but it is definately a chore to maintain my current weight as is. Slow is the goal.

[bigbenleyland]

I'm very loose about the term, I consider myself a bear even though I'm 6'2 and 200 pounds, mainly because of the amount of hair I have. I guess it's more of an attitude for me rather than a physical thing, although facial hair is probably a common link.

Some people call me a cub because of my age, but to some people that implies a passive/submissive role, so I stay away from it. Although while having lunch today a friend of mine equated me to an otter, which I kinda get.

Like Sexy, I think I may just have to bring otter forward.

Re: I was grandfathered in.

[thatfatboy]

Meh, just looking for honest opinions, not a flame war.

So... how would you explain a Bear to someone that knows nothing about the subject?

Re: I was grandfathered in.

[thatfatboy]

besides... I doubt enough people read my journal to spark a flame war.

[bobo_dreams]

Well, for me, personally, a bear is a big guy with a furry body. That's what bears in the wilderness look like...big and furry. A cub, a smaller, husky version of the bear.

Seems pretty simple, no?

No, it isn't. In the gay world, bears are anything from Hank Hightower to Jack Radcliffe. Yeah, I know, I've heard the term "musclebear", but to me, that doesn't count. If you're muscular...your a muscle guy. I don't really like the whole "bear" thing, really, because it just separates everyone...chubs or thinner guys can't join a site because they aren't bear enough or whatever. Stuff like that's ridiculous. How about we just say "I like to suck cock." So much simpler than trying to come up with a definition for ones self.

[thatfatboy]

I certianly don't want to pidgeonhole someone into a category, that isn't my purpose... just stating what I think what a bear is when I close my eyes and imagine.

Perhaps I am cynical, but everything in life is sorted into certian boxes if you will. Labels are placed for easy definition, and they certianly are all around you. That is how you are defined by corperations, the media, and everyone that you meet every day. Not that I am an advocate of this mode of thinking, but it is there. Some labels you shake, some you deny, and the more you fight the label system, the more labels that are attached to you. Do you not think this may be the case?

*** DON'T SCROLL DOWN IF YOU'RE AT WORK ***

[lukebacca]

My opinion is, if you (as a full package) look anything at all like this guy, you're a bear:

[lukebacca]

Oops, that was meant as a direct reply, not part of this thread. Sorry.